What to Do When the Oil Runs Out

On By Betty OwensIn bridegroom, lamp, oil, parable, virgins, worship1 Comment


Jesus told a parable about ten virgins waiting for the return of the bridegroom. Five of them were smart enough to keep their lamps filled with oil, so they would be ready to go at a moment’s notice. The other five weren’t so well prepared. When the wait grew long, the 5 silly ladies let themselves go. The oil ran low, but they just knew they’d have time to get them filled before it was too late.

The bridegroom returned, without calling first to warn them! The 5 well prepared young ladies were ready to go, but the others had to run to the supermarket to buy oil and fill their lamps. By the time they returned, the jet was leaving the runway. They stood there in shock for a moment and then they…
All right, maybe that’s not exactly how it went, but you get the idea. I was worried about this. How can I be certain I will be ready when the bridegroom returns? Just how do you keep your lamp filled with oil? Do we break our necks doing service? Spend hours in prayer?
Service is good and prayer is good. These things help us keep busy and focused in the interim, but they are not really the answer. Of course this is just my opinion, but I know how I feel after a time of worship and praise. Uplifted, joyous, filled. Throw in some quality time just talking with the Father and studying the Book He left for us and I think we’re pretty much done.
Matthew 25: 1-13 The Parable of the Foolish Virgins

Who’s That Guy

On By Betty OwensIn benefit, conversation, Facebook, grandchildren, humor, job hunts1 Comment

—and Where’d He Learn That?

Ah, Facebook. I’d heard about it, but I never expected what I found there. I’m getting to know my kids! Grown, and living on their own, my guys are busy creatures. We would sometimes go for days and even weeks without hearing a word from them. Now, I have only to log onto Facebook, and there they are!


One of my sons has a bright sense of humor and a real way with words. Amazing! He keeps us in stitches. Each one is gifted in his own way, but all three have the signature good humor.

Another benefit–we get instant news about the grandchildren, successful job hunts, the latest pictures and videos. I’m starting to like this a lot, except I tend to spend way too much time there, tapping away the minutes.

Warning: It’s as if you’re in a big conversation and everyone in the room can hear what you’re saying. You have to be more careful what you say. Yes, that’s something you pick up rather quickly. It only takes one misspeak to set off a flurry of comments. Oops!

Tips for a Happy Marriage

On By Betty OwensIn Marriage, Memories, Shower, Wedding

I went to a wedding shower the other day. It brought back fond memories of my wedding shower, where I received index cards with tips for a happy marriage written on them. Of course there were the usual ones, the common sense ones and the ones that read like the proverbs of Solomon.


Here are a few that I found helpful:

  • Don’t spend too much time together.
  • Spend as much time together as possible.
  • Be your own person.
  • Submit yourself to him. He is your master.

Well, maybe not so much, but here are some I really did like:

  • Laugh. A lot.
  • Never stop dating.
  • Make him think he’s special.

And then I added one:

  • When there’s something you really want to do, make him think it’s his idea.

So, what’s the secret to a long and happy marriage? There are no set rules, because everyone is different. But faithfulness, love, kindness, honor, interest, desire, those are all good words…and humor helps. Laugh—a lot!

Defeated By A Rumor!

On By Betty OwensIn Assyrian, Isaiah, Jerusalem, Kings, Rabshekah, rumor

Sometimes, we are defeated by a rumor. This happened in I Kings 19:7 (repeated in Isaiah 37:7) to a powerful Assyrian leader called a Rabshekah. He heard a rumor, returned home and was later killed there. This was the man who stood outside the walls of Jerusalem, shouting and trying to scare the inhabitants into surrender.

How often do we hear a rumor and run? Speaking for myself, more often than I like to think. The world is sometimes a very scary place, but for those who put their trust in the Lord, peace is only a breath or a heartbeat away. Though you may suffer immediate alarm in a given situation, take a deep breath and remember. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).