A proud mom - that's me. A mother doesn't love one child more than the others; she enjoys a unique relationship with each, but a special bond exists between her and her first born. Steve Jr. was my first born. He was the one on whom his dad and I had to practice and to learn parenting skills. He was the object of our trial and error method.
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I was only sixteen when he was born; his dad, nineteen. When I first held Steve Jr. in my arms and looked into his face, I was awed by the responsibility which lay ahead for us. Recognizing and acknowledging we teenagers were ill-equiped to make the right decisions for our little one, we gave him back to God. I prayed "Dear God, He is yours; help us to make the decisions for him and to help him become the person you want him to be." That he has done. We did the same with our other two sons. I say all of this to show what a miracle God performed in producing this successful surgeon and man.
Watch this video to see why this mother is so proud. Steve is one of the youngest surgeons ever to be elected president of S.A.G.E.S. (Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons). I would like to be able to say he is what he is today because of our wise parenting, but I can't. The credit must go to God and to a young man with great determination and perseverance. Son, I am proud of you.
God has blessed by providing me with busy speaking schedule this month. Each time I go to a new church or conference to provide humor and inspiration, it seems I'm the one who comes away with the blessing. I am always the recipient of new friends, new material, and new zeal.
On Oct 4, 2008, I spoke at Dwight Baptist in Gadsden, Alabama. the ladies had the fellowship hall arrayed in an eyecatching fall theme. There I was surprised to see many people I already knew; I also met many other beautiful ladies. I reminded the attendees God wants us to "Laugh often, Love much, and Live well."
The next weekend, Oct. 11, I spoke at the Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Survivors' Luncheon in Gadsden. " Was it appropriate to share funny stories with ladies who had, or are having, a very dark time in their lives?" I asked myself. Then I realized that if I truly believed what I say so often - Laughter is good medicine - then yes, I should do what I normally do. They laughed heartily at my funny stories as though they were starved for humor. Praise the Lord! They were a great inspiration to me with their positive spirits.
With my speaking schedule having been full for weeks and a glance at it indicates the same for the next months, there comes a time when I need to pull back and have a time of spiritual and physical refreshing. When I'm not speaking, I'm occupied with writing magazine articles or working to complete my new devotional book - "Laughing with the Lord", so yes, I needed and wanted a respite.
Along with my husband Steve and a couple of dear friends, I traveled to Branson, Missouri, to a Phil Waldrep Senior Celebrators Conference. Having been to many of these events in the past, I didn't need to look at the program to know it would provide what I needed in the way of a spiritual refreshing. It did just that. Charles Billingsley, the worship leader of Thomas Road Baptist Church, was used by God to bring us to His throne in true worship. Some of the speakers, such as Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabez, challenged us to a more consecrated walk with the Master. Dennis Swanberg made us laugh until the tears rolled. The singing of Wintley Phipps and Greater Vision lifted our hearts in praise.
“Who is this Barbara Eubanks? What does she do? What’s she about?” you might ask.
First of all, I am a member of a royal family – a child of the King. That being said, I attempt to live out the principle set down in Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. NIV That philosophy hasn’t failed me yet.
Presently, I fill my days telling people, through my writing and speaking, that God WANTS His children to be happy – to laugh and enjoy the blessings He provides. I begin most of my presentations exclaiming, “Rejoice, and again I say rejoice.”
Yes, I’m an author. I have written two humorous, yet inspiring, devotional books – Humorous Happenings in Holy Places (Tate Publishing, 2004) and And the Angels Laughed (Tate Publishing, 2005). Each of these contains 101 humorous, true anecdotes which have taken place in church or which have spiritual implications. I have chapters in two compiled books – Whispering in God’s Ear and 101 Great ways to Improve Your Life Vol. 3.
After teaching English/journalism for 35 years, I didn't retire; I simply reengaged. My first after-teaching goal was to get my first book published. With the Lord's help, that was accomplished Dec. 2004 when "Humorous Happenings inHoly Places" (Tate Publishing) hit the market. Not only did that serve to respark my desire to write, it also opened up a speaking career for me. I've averaged one event a week since then. My second book, "And the Angels Laughed", is also published by Tate. Both will be available as audio books.
I traveled to Mustang, Oklahoma, to the Tate Out-Loud studio the week of August 14th to voice both books. What an exciting time! What supercedes the joy of seeing my own words published is the joy this has brought to my family, especially to my eight grandchildren, who have supplied some of the funny happenings for both books. I've tried my hand, since finishing the two devotional book, writing fiction. I've completed my first novel, A Web Too Tight. At each meeting of the Lit Chicks, I share with them a chapter or two. If the rest of the world meets it with their enthusiasm, it will be a best seller.
God has blessed by providing me with busy speaking schedule this month. Each time I go to a new church or conference to provide humor and inspiration, it seems I'm the one who comes away with the blessing. I am always the recipient of new friends, new material, and new zeal.
Along with my husband Steve and a couple of dear friends, I traveled to Branson, Missouri, to a Phil Waldrep Senior Celebrators Conference. Having been to many of these events in the past, I didn't need to look at the program to know it would provide what I needed in the way of a spiritual refreshing. It did just that. Charles Billingsley, the worship leader of Thomas Road Baptist Church, was used by God to bring us to His throne in true worship. Some of the speakers, such as Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabez, challenged us to a more consecrated walk with the Master. Dennis Swanberg made us laugh until the tears rolled. The singing of Wintley Phipps and Greater Vision lifted our hearts in praise.
opened up a speaking career for me. I've averaged one event a week since then. My second book, "