“My Mom is the wisest and most Loving woman that I have ever known.”

Mom Loves God, and everyone she encounters. She laughs a lot and until she cries. It is common to see tears streaming down her face from laughing so hard. She eats whatever she wants in moderation, is an amazing cook, shares her lunch with someone every day, has never had a habit of anything, and enjoys honoring and celebrating Christmas with her beautiful lights more than anyone I know.

Some of Mom's most enjoyable hobbies are decorating for holidays, especially at Christmas. People all over Kingsport, TN tell us that they look forward to seeing Mom's Christmas lights each year. 

She also truly enjoys feeding the birds at work and home. Everyone around her offers to help feed the birds outside. I have literally seen Mom sit and look through the window with a lovely smile on her face because she is watching the birds eat. Mom has always said that you can love all animals even if you don't own one. She adores my little Yorkie Tenderpups, Blue, Ridge, Fox, and Page. She feeds, plays and talks to them every day at the office, and claims that they belong to her!!  She is such a classy lady and is known as the matriarch of our family.

Mother is a nurse and has been all of my life. Our whole family would always call and ask medical advice from my Mom. Her patients always wrote letters about how much care, encouragement and Love she embraced them with while they were in the hospital. In my mind, she is just as great a nurse as she is a Mother to me.

Mom was there the first day I opened my practice, and still leads it today. Many patients call our office just to talk to my Mother.

Mom is filled with Love, laughter, intelligence, compassion and has lots of energy. I have told my Mom many times that I could not have ordered her and Dad off of a menu as parents any better than God has blessed me with naturally! I am eternally grateful to God for the gift of my parents.

Mom relies only on God as her source of faith, Love and strength. She lives her life for God, family, friends and her patients. Mom is the glue that holds our family together.

She is a gifted nurse with decades of experience. Mom is always full of hope, sees the best in everything and is dedicated to her family and patients.

Adults, children and animals adore Mom. She has such a positive spirit within her. Mom tells you exactly what she thinks, has an angelic face that does not seem to age and shares her knowledge and wisdom.

She encourages me to do my best in all things. Mom is my role model and exactly who I wanted to be like when I grew up. I deeply look forward to seeing and being with her every day.

She adorned my Dad's heart like an emblem on the hood of a car. He lit up when she walked into the room. Dad wanted Mom to touch everything he ate or the clothes he wore.

Mom is one of a kind. This is the woman that God made! God made her Loving hands which have cared for me and many others for a lifetime. She remains my best friend, no matter my age. I Love her with all of my heart!

One of my favorite traditions that Mom started when my sisters and I were born, was to put a one dollar bill in our birthday card each year. This one dollar bill means so much to my sisters and me because it symbolizes that we are special in her eyes. My sisters and I look forward to getting our one dollar bill in our birthday card every year!

Exodus 20:12 
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. 

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of

"Listen and Obey The Lord!"  Otherwise, you will waste a lot of your life.
There are many times in our lives that we do not consult with the Lord before we make small or even life changing decisions. Pray before you make a decision, then listen and obey The Lord. Leaning on His guidance will surely lead us onto the right path.

Do you listen and obey The Lord?

Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. 

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life,"  and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.

“The world is God's laboratory of nature ... we live life's daily mortal experiments while seeking spiritual wholeness.”

The first time I ever said this quote to one of my close friends, she replied, “that is deep!” I laughed and said, “Well, God made me deep and you are going to need a pair of boots for this one!”

Everything we do each day is like a mortal experiment in God’s laboratory of nature. He created us and all of nature, according to His perfect plan!

We are blessed to have been given the gift of existence by our Heavenly Father God! We were made from the Spirit of God. He breathed the breath of life into our nostrils! Hey Hallelujah!

God wants us to be fruitful and enjoy our lives while we are obedient in serving Him and others. He Loves us even when we think we are unlovable. There is nothing that we could do to make Him Love us more.

We strive to seek spiritual wholeness by asking for His guidance in order to remain in His will.

Daily mortal experiments try to get in our spiritual way. He speaks to our hearts! Are we willing to listen?

He gives us the ability to make choices. We embrace our spiritual boldness because we are “Soldiers of the Light.”

Are you living your life with spiritual wholeness?

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. 

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life,"  and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.

“When you associate with both the older and younger generations ... you continue to absorb wisdom while remaining trendy.”

Often, I have found in both my personal and professional life that it is important to “stay in the know” with both older and younger generations. There have been some days that I have learned more from interacting with toddlers in our family than anyone else.

Are you absorbing wisdom from your elders while remaining trendy with a
younger generation?

Psalm 145:13 
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. 

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life,"  and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.

A few years ago, one of my lifelong friends, Angela Estes Ireson, lost her son, Sam. He passed away from a motorcycle wreck. Angela and I had not spent much time together in years except for occasionally bumping into each other in town. We grew up together, went to school together and were both in the same sorority. She and I considered each other as lifelong sisters. 

After the tragic loss of Angela’s son, I immediately reached out to her. Although she is a woman of great faith, this tragedy made her very distraught, depressed and filled with anxiety. I wanted to show great support to Angela but did not have any specific plans initially. I invited her to come to my downtown office so we could pray together and talk. 

Angela had not been able to work due to the extreme stress she had been experiencing since her son died. At that moment, I decided to reach out to Loved ones for any financial help (starting with myself) while she was out of work. Donations started pouring in for her. She was able to begin to heal emotionally without feeling pressured to work. Next, when she was ready, I offered her a position at my office. She graciously accepted. 

One day, I was in my private office and Angela asked me if we could talk. She said she wanted to thank me for everything I did to help her heal spiritually, emotionally and financially during such a difficult time in her life. Lastly, she informed me that I had helped save her life. I was puzzled and asked her to explain what she meant. She informed me that she had planned the exact way and place to commit suicide the very same day that I had originally asked her to come to my office. I was stunned! 

I reflected back on that day that she initially came to my office. I remember how I held her for hours on the couch in the lobby while she cried. I had no idea at the time that she had suicide on her mind. I am so thrilled that she did not commit suicide because she is a child of God and a grandmother now! 

Angela informed me many times that the most important thing she learned from being with all of us at the office was something my Mom always told her to remember, “It is well but I am not satisfied.” This way of thinking reminds us every moment to put God first and continue serving Him exultantly! 

Prayers, another day and another year, make a huge difference in your life. My entire family Loves Angela! She is Loving, kind, compassionate and makes everyone laugh! God utilized me as a vessel of Love and hope for my friend. Hey Hallelujah!

Will you give someone a moment of help if given the opportunity? 

John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have Loved you. 

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. 

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life,"  and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.

When I was about eight years old, I was playing outside with some of my neighborhood friends and my oldest sister, Linda, was watching me while my parents were at work. I was playing in the yard with some of my friends and looked up and saw Ricky and Gregory Watterson riding shiny bicycles on the sidewalk in front of our house. 

Ricky was riding a shiny blue, Schwinn bicycle that was a five speed and had a very comfortable banana seat. He and his brother, Gregory, stopped for a moment to talk to us. I really liked Ricky’s bicycle and was admiring it. 

Ricky said, “Would you like to have this bicycle?” I said, “sure, but it belongs to you so how can that happen?” He said, “I will be glad to sell it to you.” My sister, Linda, was behind me, and she had heard the whole conversation. She negotiated the deal to buy the bicycle from Ricky for twenty-five dollars. That was a lot of cash for children back in the early seventies! 

Linda paid Ricky twenty-five dollars cash and he got off the bicycle and handed it to me. I could not believe that this shiny blue, five speed, Schwinn bicycle with the comfortable banana seat belonged to me now! Linda had a great job and wanted to do this for me. I was so happy and thrilled! Ricky’s brother, Gregory, gave him a ride home on his bicycle, and I rode my new bicycle all day long!

To this day, I have this bicycle in my garage and it still looks almost brand new. I took such good care of this bicycle! Every time I look at that Schwinn bicycle, I think of my sister, Linda. She was kind enough to buy that bicycle for me without asking her to do so. The symbol of Love that this bicycle represents means so much more than the bicycle itself. 

This is one of the epic, childhood moments that remains in my heart and mind throughout my entire life! 

 Is there a beautiful childhood moment that remains in your heart today? 

1 Corinthians 16:14
Do everything in Love.

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com.

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life,"  and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.

"Timeless Friendship," was written in honor of Karen Ann Davidson Fandl. Karen, my lifelong friend of thirty years, was called to her Eternal Home to be with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ and our Almighty Father God! She is in front of God, a soldier of the Light, and covered in Glory! She was a skilled Registered Nurse and lived her life celebrating others! Karen made you feel like you were the most important person in the world every time you saw her!

Over the years, Karen and I helped each other through the best and hardest times of our lives. She was a rare and unique friend because she truly Loved me unconditionally. 

Many years ago, Karen dedicated the song entitled, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Dianna Ross to our friendship. This was the final song that was played at her funeral service in which her family had asked me to officiate. It was beautiful because everyone was standing with their arms in the air celebrating her life as the song was being played. Karen lived her life Loving and serving the Lord!
Proverbs 27:9 A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. 

Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life,"  and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.