Recently I came across a page torn from the May 1951 edition of the Farm Journal magazine. It caught my attention because it features jump rope rhymes. If you liked jumping rope on the playground when you were a kid, you no doubt remember one variation or another of such rhymes as I’m a little Dutch girl dressed in blue. These are the things I used to do. Salute to the captain, Bow to the king, Turn my back on the wicked old queen! 10-20-30—Pepper! At that point the rope was turned as fast as possible until you “missed.” If you “missed” it was the next child’s turn.

Those of us with several decades of life experience like to talk about how rough we had it when we were kids, but actually the ‘50’s were very good years to be in school. A generous amount of recess time was one of the best benefi ts. Fifteen minute recesses each morning and afternoon with lunch hour being just that—an hour to eat lunch and play on the playground.

We didn’t have PE; we just played on the swings, teeter-totters, slides, merry-go-rounds, and monkey bars. We argued, formed friendships, learned to negotiate, formed alliances, changed alliances, and played the games that for some reason were in vogue at the time. Jump rope was popular, but jacks, hop-scotch, races, Red Rover, and King on the Mountain come to mind, too. These were usually supervised by one of the bossy older kids. They must have been individuals with leadership potential, but we just called them bossy.

Remember that First Sunday breakfast is served at 9:00 in the fellowship hall. March 2^nd is Winter Jam for the youth group. Youth group Bible study on Thursday nights has been canceled for a while, but on March 5^th the Women’s Bible Study group will meet at 9:30 in the fellowship hall.

This Sunday James Hammonds and Ted Deaton sang “The Scarlet Purple Robe” as the special music selection. It is an old song that is an old favorite, and James and Ted sang it well.

Dr. R.W. Overton, a Baptist minister who is also a teacher, was our guest speaker this Sunday. He came highly recommended by our pastor who worked with Dr. Overton at Wewoka schools. The title of his sermon was “Let Us Thank the Lord,” which was based on Psalm 100.

Dr. Overton began his education learning from tattered out-of-date books in a little two room segregated school. With God’s help and hard work, he was able to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctorate. [Where you begin isn’t as important as where God takes you.]

Our God is a generous, loving, merciful God who deserves our praise. Know who God is and what He has done and then praise Him and celebrate with a joyful noise. Singing our praise is just one way to make a joyful noise and express our love and appreciation to Him.

All spiritual and physical blessing are from God, and He is in control. Worship and serve Him with gladness and joy and gratitude.

Black History month reminds us of the contributions Blacks have made to America and its history. The many different races and cultures in this world remind us of the wonderful diversity of God. He had a purpose for creating every race of people, and each of them have contributed good things to the world.

Jesus gave His all to redeem all—not just the Jews. He offers salvation to all who will believe in Him and accept the salvation bought at such a dear price. The Lord is our strength and our song. He has set us all free from our sin! Enter His courts with praise! Praise Him with joy and thanksgiving!