Happy Birthday to Ben Arthur

Wishing a Happy Birthday to my nephew Ben Arthur.  Hope you have a great day!  Ben is pictured with Chelsea and their daughter Peyton. 

Franklin Family Connection:  Ben is the son of my sister Loretta Franklin: who is the daughter of Gene Franklin: who is the son of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC.

Happy Birthday to Matthew Franks

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Matthew (Monk) Franks.  Pictured with Cindy and his wife and kids, and his sister Mary Anne Franks on the right - they just happened to run into each other at the LR Airport last fall!

Baggett Family Connection:  Matthew is son of Cindy's Aunt Delores and the late Uncle Bo Franks: Uncle Bo was the brother of Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR, so I think Uncle Bo would be "Great-Uncle Bo" to Cindy, etc. 

Happy Birthday to Kaitlin Arthur

Wishing a "Happy 4th Birthday" to Kaitlin Arthur, daughter of Kimberly and Paul Arthur.  Also known as cousin Gloria's granddaughter :)   Hope you have a great day! 

Franklin Family Connection:  Kaitlin is the daughter of Kimberly Walker Arthur: who is the daughter of Gloria Dorman Walker: who is the daughter of Annie Mae Franklin Dorman: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC.

Happy Birthday to Roxanna Baggett

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" today to Roxanna Baggett.  Hope you have a great day!  

Baggett Family Connection:  Roxanna is the wife of Cindy's Uncle Kelsea Baggett: who is the son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

knowing God through the Psalms

Recently I attended our church's mens retreat.  It was on a Friday night and Saturday morning at Strong Rock Camp in Cleveland, GA.  Our speaker for the four sessions, two on Friday and two one Saturday, was Evangelist Will Galkin. I was convicted of the fact that the "awareness of God" is lacking in my life.  If I was asked to discuss with an unsaved person about "who God is" I think I would come up short. Will's challenge was to read the entire book of Psalms and find out about God's character.  I have been reading the book of Psalms for my devotions and keeping a journal of the attributes or character of God.  It has been a refreshing and encouraging journey so far.  As Psalm 1:6 says, The Lord knows the way of the righteous "and he will be blessed." 

The message that Will Galkin gave was from Psalm 139:7 "Whither shall I go from they spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy prescence?" The basic fact is that none of us can run from God.  God knows our actions, words, thoughts...so we need to start thinking truth. (Psalm 139:160)  Also he pointed out that "God knows me" and he goes with me.  Psalm 139:8 tells us that God is there...in Heaven, in Hell.  Verse 12 tells us that darkness will not cover us. He pointed out that we need to stop, turn around, and find grace, remembering that God owns us, and He made us (verses 13-17).  This truth will produce separation from sin and a walk in the Spirit. 

Let me encourage you to begin reading Psalms today and get to know who God is! 

Happy Birthday to Charity Brown

Wishing Happy Birthday to Charity Brown, Jeff's wife.   Hope you had a great day. 

Franklin Family Connection:  Charity is the wife of cousin Jeffrey Brown: who is the son of Pat Brown: who is the daughter of Emily Franklin Kirby Jones: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC.

Video - Buzz Saw Quick Saw July 2010

Looking forward to this year's BUZZ IN THE BLUE RIDGE.

This year the event takes place June 3-5th in Helen, Ga. The cost is only $5.00 to watch these chain saw artists in action. Oh, it might cost a little more if you end up bidding on one of the finished bears, eagles, dogs, etc...
Click to view BUZZ IN THE BLUE RIDGE Website
Click to view MALWORKS, works by Mal himself.

our nation begins a four year observance

Last week on April 12th, our nation began a four-year observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  Re-enactors from around the country were in Charleston, SC last week at Fort Sumter.  The first shots of the War between the States took place here on April 12, 1861.   There will be many "special anniversary" re-enactments during the next for years.  The biggest and the one most people are looking forward to is the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 2013. 

Click to read more at this link:  

The events re-creating the siege of Fort Sumter began the four-year national observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

While it is hard to understand all of the reasons "why" this war took place, with brother fighting against brother, we must always learn from history or else history may repeat itself.

family photo Sunday

Our newest granddaughter, Haley Grace Elisabeth, in her daddy's arms - She was born at Baptist Medical Center in Jackonville, FL on April 13th (missing Aunt Debbie's birthday by one day!) She weighed 7 lbs, 3 ounces and was 19 inches long, with reddish hair.  Congrats to Brandon and Rachel and big brother Charlie T!

Video - Face the Cross part 4 of 4

This is the final portion of our choir program "Face the Cross" from last September. It begins with a solo by Pastor Rob Finch "Written in Red" followed by the drama segment "He is the son of God". Closing with the most powerful song, "Face the Cross".

If you have not viewed the first three parts, click the links below:
Face the Cross, part 1 of 4
Face the Cross, part 2 of 4
Face the Cross, part 3 of 4

Be Killing Sin, or Else

Be Killing Sin, or Else

Click the link above to read this entire post. Evangelist Will Galkin preached the same thing at our men's retreat last weekend, "Be killing sin, or sin will kill you."

If someone were to ask you, “What’s the most dangerous spiritual responsibility to neglect?” You might think of Scripture reading, prayer, evangelism, listening to preaching, or attending corporate worship. And it’s not that you’d be wrong…God commands all believers to pursue those things. They’re non-negotiable.


But there’s another spiritual responsibility we often overlook. It’s an intimate, unpleasant, and exhausting duty—killing sin.

Video - Kyle Singler Will Be Remembered as a Winner!

Yes, Kyle Singler scored almost 2400 points as a Blue Devil and was the most valuable player in the Final Four Tourney of 2010. So why did he come back to Duke for his senior year? Watch this video and find out! Yes, he was a warrior too, but he will be remembered most as a winner!  

Happy Birthday to Joel Blackstock

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Cindy's Uncle Joel Blackstock.  Hope you have a great day today!  (Picture above taken at their 50th wedding anniversary last year)

Baggett Family Connection: Joel Blackstock is the husband of Aunt Robbie Kay Baggett Blackstock: who is the daughter of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

Welcome to the world, Haley Grace Elisabeth

Our new granddaughter was born into the world early this morning, April 13th, at 1:21 AM.  Haley Grace Elisabeth Franklin weighed 7 lbs 3 oz. and was measured at 19" long, and she looks like she has lots of red hair!  Our son Brandon is pictured with Haley Grace above. 

Happy Birthday to Deborah Logan

Deborah, Hope you have a great day celebrating your birthday today!  Just remember that commercial that said "you're not getting older, you're getting better!":)  My sister is pictured above with her daughter April.

Franklin Family Connection:  Deborah Franklin Logan is the daughter of Gene Franklin: who is the son of Charles C. and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

family photo Sunday

Welcome to the world to the newest member of the family, Lydia Ellise Brown. And congrats to cousin Pat Brown for the new granddaughter - and congrats to mom and dad, Kylee and Greg.  Big sister Emilee is holding her new sister in the photo above! Lydia  was born Thursday morning, April 7th at 10:30 am and weighed in at 7 lbs, 5 ounces.   

Happy Birthday to Colby Blackstock

Wishing a Happy 21st Birthday to Cindy's cousin Colby Blackstock. 

Hope you had a great day!  

Colby is surrounded by his brothers Bradley and Dustin in the photo above.

Baggett Family Connection:  Colby Blackstock is the son of Michael Blackstock: who is the son of Robbie Kay Baggett Blackstock: who is the daughter of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

Happy Birthday to Sharon Baggett

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" today to Cindy's sister-in-law Sharon Baggett.  Hope you had a great day!  Sharon is pictured above with Carl, Aunt Robbie, and my mother, Martha, in a picture taken last summer in Arkansas.  

Baggett Family Connection:  Sharon Baggett  is married to Cindy's brother Carl Baggett: who is the son of J.L. Baggett,Jr.: who was the son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

Happy Birthday to Dustin Blackstock

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Cindy's 2nd cousin Dustin Blackstock

who turns 19 today! 

Hope you have a great day!  

 Dustin is pictured above with his brothers, Colby (L) and Bradley(R)

Baggett Family Connection:  Dustin Blackstock is the son of Michael Blackstock: who is the son of Aunt Robbie Kay Baggett Blackstock: who is the daughter of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

Happy Birthday to Andrew Pettit

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" today to my 3rd cousin, Andrew Pettit. 

Andrew is the oldest son of Ray Pettit, Jr. 

and grandson of cousin Dianne Pettit. 

 Andrew is pictured above (far right) with his brothers and sisters. 

Franklin Family Connection: Andrew Pettit is the son of Ray Pettit, Jr.: who is the son of Dianne Dorman Pettit: who is the daughter of Annie Mae Franklin Dorman: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC.

Video - Face the Cross part 3 of 4

Posting part 3 of our church's program "Face the Cross" today. This section begins with a beautiful rendition of "The Look" - solo by Mike Bowman (who is married to Janet DuBose Bowman) and accompanied by guitarists and violin.  The 2nd selection is a duet with choir "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" followed by a choral arrangement of  "Amazing Love" 
If you missed part 1, click here to view
If you missed part 2, click here to view

family photo Sunday

One of my cousins posted this picture on their facebook site recently.  I do know have very many pictures of my Grandma Franklin (Mattie Belle) so I am happy to add this to my family photo archives.

Seated with Great-Grandma Franklin is Greg Brown, to his right is Preston Pettit, standing behind Grandma is Miranda Pettit, and I am not sure who the boy is to the left.  The older cousins from left to right are Darrell Mitchell, Jeffrey Brown, Tony Mitchell, Jamie Pettit, Ray Pettit, Jr. and Donna Brown. 

Happy Birthday to our granddaughter Sophia Martha

Happy Birthday to our granddaughter Sophia Martha who turns 3 today!   Hope the present we sent you made it in time for your birthday! 

Sophia is pictured above with her mom, Leah.  

Franklin Family Connection:  Sophia Martha is the daughter of Stephen Franklin: who is the son of Tim Franklin: who is the son of Gene Franklin: who is the son of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

Baggett Family Connection: Sophia Martha: daughter of Stephen Franklin: who is the son of Cindy Baggett Franklin: who is the daughter of J.L.Baggett, Jr: who was to son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

Happy Birthday to Preston Pettit

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to my 2nd cousin Preston Pettit. 

Hope you had a great day!  

 Preston is pictured above with his son Austin and daughter Erica.

Franklin Family Connection:  Preston Pettit is the son of my cousin Dianne Dorman Pettit: who is the daughter of Annie Mae Franklin Dorman: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC.