About Me
Fun Facts about Van Walton
My favorite smell: The way the earth smells after it rains.
My favorite sound: The first notes of a grand symphony.
My favorite way to relax: Sitting anywhere outside - on my front porch, on my deck, or by the lake, early in the morning with my first cup of coffee.
My favorite birthday dessert: a Peach cobbler baked by my husband. He’s my fave chef!
I will not eat: Avocado. They turn my stomach into a volcano that never erupts.
Technology I couldn't live without and why: My laptop - it takes me anywhere I want to go.
One thing that makes me smile: My sons' faces!
Friend Van on FacebookMy Resources
My book, From the Pound to the Palace, is available for $10
from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My book, Little Halos, is available for $5.99 from Proverbs
31 Ministries.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Links
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
This morning I did the unthinkable! Something I long to do. Something I have disciplined myself not to do- watch a lot of TV.
I made my cup of coffee and sat down to post the weekly Spanish blog P31 devotional. While doing so, I mindlessly watched GMA.
During a brief moment, when I looked up to the TV, little Dannielynn’s face flashed on the screen. I remember years ago she had been the center of a custody battle after the tragic death of her famed mother’s death. Dannielynn’s mother is Ana Nicole Smith 5 year old daughter.
Robin Roberts was interviewing the young father who had won the custody battle. I stopped to watch the rest of the interview.
She is growing up and asking the hard questions – just as our children grow up and make challenging remarks.
“Why did my mother have to die?”
“Where is my mother?”
“When can I see her?”
Her daddy’s answer? “If you are good you can see her in heaven.”
Sweet answer,but is it true?
If we are GOOD do we go to heaven?
What is “good”?
How good does one have to be?
Can a person EVER be good enough?
This is all so confusing. Anna Nicole was a beautiful woman, but some would say she wasn’t “good.” She lived a questionable lifestyle… to some people’s way of thinking. When little Dannielynn grows up and reads the stories she might find out her mother, as beautiful and sweet and kind as she was, didn’t always make good choices.
How confused will she be?
The Bible is not confusing about getting into heaven.
John 3:16 clearly lays out God’s plan. He loved me, and you, so much that he sent His Son, Jesus, to buy us back from the world that constantly tempts us to make bad choices. We are not told to be good. We are told, “Whoever believes in Him, that is Jesus, will have eternal life.”
Believe or be good. No one can ever be good enough, but we can believe that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through” His Son.
Let’s not confuse our children by telling them they have to be good to get to heaven. Let’s teach them to believe.
Shine,
I made my cup of coffee and sat down to post the weekly Spanish blog P31 devotional. While doing so, I mindlessly watched GMA.
During a brief moment, when I looked up to the TV, little Dannielynn’s face flashed on the screen. I remember years ago she had been the center of a custody battle after the tragic death of her famed mother’s death. Dannielynn’s mother is Ana Nicole Smith 5 year old daughter.
Robin Roberts was interviewing the young father who had won the custody battle. I stopped to watch the rest of the interview.
She is growing up and asking the hard questions – just as our children grow up and make challenging remarks.
“Why did my mother have to die?”
“Where is my mother?”
“When can I see her?”
Her daddy’s answer? “If you are good you can see her in heaven.”
Sweet answer,but is it true?
If we are GOOD do we go to heaven?
What is “good”?
How good does one have to be?
Can a person EVER be good enough?
This is all so confusing. Anna Nicole was a beautiful woman, but some would say she wasn’t “good.” She lived a questionable lifestyle… to some people’s way of thinking. When little Dannielynn grows up and reads the stories she might find out her mother, as beautiful and sweet and kind as she was, didn’t always make good choices.
How confused will she be?
The Bible is not confusing about getting into heaven.
John 3:16 clearly lays out God’s plan. He loved me, and you, so much that he sent His Son, Jesus, to buy us back from the world that constantly tempts us to make bad choices. We are not told to be good. We are told, “Whoever believes in Him, that is Jesus, will have eternal life.”
Believe or be good. No one can ever be good enough, but we can believe that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through” His Son.
Let’s not confuse our children by telling them they have to be good to get to heaven. Let’s teach them to believe.
Shine,
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
In the garden
Holy Week Reflection
A tender moment:
Knowing His fate, Jesus prayed for me. He prayed for you.
He asked God:
Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am.
- Tender moment followed by
- Trial
- Torture
- Tragedy
Only a god like God. He loves us
Passionately
Shine
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Star of Bethlehem
So I posted last week about the morning star, short days, long nights.
... and Jesus' birthday not being the 25th.
Yesterday my three men and I stayed indoors all day, chilling, relaxing, enjoying the peace and quiet of home, and each others' comfortable presence.
After opening presents we snuggled up nice and comfy in the basement to watch a video that sheds light on the 25th of December. The video is titled The Star of Behtlehem. It is a documentary about the star the Wise Men followed.
The documentary is a wonderfully interesting presentation of the galaxies, a study of stars and constellation all lined up with history.
I recommend it for all especially right now as Christmas begins to wind down. We spend a lot of time putting all the emphasis on one day, when in reality the Christmas story took place over a couple of years period.
Get the video. Watch it. You will be amazed and educated. Your eyes will be opened. Meanwhile visit the website.
Shine!
... and Jesus' birthday not being the 25th.
Yesterday my three men and I stayed indoors all day, chilling, relaxing, enjoying the peace and quiet of home, and each others' comfortable presence.
After opening presents we snuggled up nice and comfy in the basement to watch a video that sheds light on the 25th of December. The video is titled The Star of Behtlehem. It is a documentary about the star the Wise Men followed.
The documentary is a wonderfully interesting presentation of the galaxies, a study of stars and constellation all lined up with history.
I recommend it for all especially right now as Christmas begins to wind down. We spend a lot of time putting all the emphasis on one day, when in reality the Christmas story took place over a couple of years period.
Get the video. Watch it. You will be amazed and educated. Your eyes will be opened. Meanwhile visit the website.
Shine!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Morning Star
December 22– my favorite day of the year!
I wish to take issue with whoever determined December 25 to be the day Jesus birth would be celebrated. We all know, don’t we, little proof exists as to Jesus’ true birth date. I have heard that since He was the "LIGHT shining in the darkness", it made complete sense for Him to be born during the darkest season of the year. I get that.
Yesterday was the shortest day of the year, hence the darkest 24 hour period. For me December 21st represents the times in our lives when trials, hardships, challenges, heartaches, and difficulties rule. December 21st reminds me of emotionally draining experiences that threaten to destroy the desperate. When December 21st dawns late, I am reminded, “Life is hard. Days are dark. Life and joy are threatened.” And I contemplate, “Is there hope?”
December 22 dawns! Today marks a countdown, the march toward the longest day of the year—the day when the sun shines forever– or so it seems. I live for that warm day in June when the bright and morning star rises early, announcing a new day, a long day, a day filled with SUN!
Today December 22 is a day to celebrate. Into the long dark night a light shines, just a little earlier this day, erasing yesterday’s length of darkness. Today there is a tiny bit more sun.
Hope!
Tomorrow, yet a bit more sun will shine. Each day more light. Each day breaks earlier.
Every day will not be a December 21st day.
After every December 21st comes December 22nd, reminding those of us who find ourselves in shadows, on dark paths, facing uncertain futures—- a day is coming when more light will shine than shown yesterday!
Read what the Bible has to say about the Morning Star:
“...we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.”
2 Peter 1:19
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message... I am the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16
Shine!
Shine!
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