Some days, only God has the answer!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Life Goes On
Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment
of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone.
Jim Fiebig
How true it is that in all our losses (the simple and the complex) we find ourselves fretting and worrying about those things we feel are very special to us. But think again, are they all that special or just a glob of melting substance that was there to satisfy our mortal appetite?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Where Could I Go
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptations sore
Striving alone to face temptations sore
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go, oh where could I go
Where could I go, oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord
Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone
Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone
We get along in sweet accord
But when my soul needs manna from above
But when my soul needs manna from above
Where could I go but to the Lord
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own Word
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
When He Visits
This thought has been with me for quite some time now, so here's my penning to express.
When He visits what shall I say?
Will I have words of wisdom?
……..or words that ultimately decay?
Will I offer phrases definably spoken?
……..or devaluing ones as an unwanted token?
When He visits how will I behave?
With an illustration of gladness
……..or with a countenance most grave?
Will I step forward a welcome to bid
……..or will I in the background remain hid?
When He visits will I shout for joy?
Happy to see the One I adore
………or will I an excuse employ?
For will my soul tranquility enrapture?
………or will I never timelessness capture?
When He visits what shall I say?
Will I have words of wisdom?
……..or words that ultimately decay?
Will I offer phrases definably spoken?
……..or devaluing ones as an unwanted token?
When He visits how will I behave?
With an illustration of gladness
……..or with a countenance most grave?
Will I step forward a welcome to bid
……..or will I in the background remain hid?
When He visits will I shout for joy?
Happy to see the One I adore
………or will I an excuse employ?
For will my soul tranquility enrapture?
………or will I never timelessness capture?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Checking In
Thanks Dorinda for the email. Couldn't help but high jack this picture for my blog (although I can't get the animation to work, it is still adorable).
Faith's Steps
Faith is taking the first stepeven when you don't see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Our House versus God's House
I’m not sure why I am writing this post today but I feel that it is something I need to do. Pain and suffering comes to all - and when it does, we must guard our soul, not allowing ourselves to move away from our Hope and our Redeemer.
"I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, where is thy God?" Psa 42:9-10
When suffering, there are times when it is extremely difficult to go to church. You would think in a crisis that the church would be the first place you'd want to retreat. In some cases, Yes. In others, No – and it's not that we don't love God, or want to be a part of His Glory, it's because the services sometimes go in directions contrary to our feelings. The problem is, we have this preconception that we know exactly what we need and when. When hurting, we say, today I don't need to laugh; today, I think I should cry, or vice versa.
Sometimes, if we are in a service that doesn't go as we believe it should, frustration (and sometimes anger) surfaces, and we want to scream "STOP, can't you feel my heartache, my pain? Don't you care?" At this point that we must get a hold of the situation, perhaps by excusing ourselves and stepping into the church foyer, the prayer room, or the churchyard to regroup. Myself, I had to wrestle with the fact that life goes on whether I want it to or not. No, it is not wrong to experience hostilities for it only confirms that we're human. However, it is wrong when we hold onto them and pet them, telling ourselves that we are entitled to them.
We must be careful when pain (and hurt) fills our mortal house. It is then that we must overcome our own self. We need (at least try) to pray even though we don't feel like it. We need to sing although the words ring hollow. We need to smile even though our heart is breaking. We must try to care even though we could care less. Whatever it takes to get our mortal house in sync with His House, we must do. If it means a thorough house cleaning - dusting, sweeping and mopping until we rid ourselves of any pity or resentment (or God forbid, hatred). Please be thankful that God entrusted you with that loved one, possession, job, or leadership role for a season or more. Just having it/them for awhile is better than never having at all. And in so many circumstances, it isn't you or God that removes, it is life. Life has a way of twisting us, turning us, squishing us (you add the rest).
May I say that it would be easier in difficult times to fold up our spirit than go through the motions of praise and worship, of sharing and caring; however, if we will honor God, in His House, during our losses, they will become the most precious times we'll ever know for we are with Him and nothing can touch us. The rages of fear are calmed, rejection is lifted and every evil flees. Our minds will regain control and bring peace (and who cares if it only lasts the length of the service. At least for a small while, we find solace). Eventually, the hour will come when what we feel in service goes home with us for perhaps an hour or two, then a day, a week, a month, then longer. That is, if we let it!
"I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, where is thy God?" Psa 42:9-10
When suffering, there are times when it is extremely difficult to go to church. You would think in a crisis that the church would be the first place you'd want to retreat. In some cases, Yes. In others, No – and it's not that we don't love God, or want to be a part of His Glory, it's because the services sometimes go in directions contrary to our feelings. The problem is, we have this preconception that we know exactly what we need and when. When hurting, we say, today I don't need to laugh; today, I think I should cry, or vice versa.
Sometimes, if we are in a service that doesn't go as we believe it should, frustration (and sometimes anger) surfaces, and we want to scream "STOP, can't you feel my heartache, my pain? Don't you care?" At this point that we must get a hold of the situation, perhaps by excusing ourselves and stepping into the church foyer, the prayer room, or the churchyard to regroup. Myself, I had to wrestle with the fact that life goes on whether I want it to or not. No, it is not wrong to experience hostilities for it only confirms that we're human. However, it is wrong when we hold onto them and pet them, telling ourselves that we are entitled to them.
We must be careful when pain (and hurt) fills our mortal house. It is then that we must overcome our own self. We need (at least try) to pray even though we don't feel like it. We need to sing although the words ring hollow. We need to smile even though our heart is breaking. We must try to care even though we could care less. Whatever it takes to get our mortal house in sync with His House, we must do. If it means a thorough house cleaning - dusting, sweeping and mopping until we rid ourselves of any pity or resentment (or God forbid, hatred). Please be thankful that God entrusted you with that loved one, possession, job, or leadership role for a season or more. Just having it/them for awhile is better than never having at all. And in so many circumstances, it isn't you or God that removes, it is life. Life has a way of twisting us, turning us, squishing us (you add the rest).
May I say that it would be easier in difficult times to fold up our spirit than go through the motions of praise and worship, of sharing and caring; however, if we will honor God, in His House, during our losses, they will become the most precious times we'll ever know for we are with Him and nothing can touch us. The rages of fear are calmed, rejection is lifted and every evil flees. Our minds will regain control and bring peace (and who cares if it only lasts the length of the service. At least for a small while, we find solace). Eventually, the hour will come when what we feel in service goes home with us for perhaps an hour or two, then a day, a week, a month, then longer. That is, if we let it!
So today, why not allow your mortal house to begin its reunion with God's House. It starts just one praise, one prayer at a time.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Next Piece, Please
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Silence My Heart
Mother Teresa
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Bye Bye Hugo
One of the fun sights on my way to work before I retired is being demolished. It is a four-story hotel at the corner of Sixth and Howard streets, known as the Hugo Hotel or the "Furniture Gallery in the Sky". It has sat empty for over 20 years. with its fame being in its art work - art hanging out its windows (i.e., tables, chairs, beds, sofas, lamps). Each of the 23 furniture pieces is attached to the side of the building with wood and steel. We were told never to worry about an earthquake because if a piece of the building fell, the art pieces would stay attached as each was solidly connected to the main structure. Nice thought, huh?
Well, being Hugo's fate is inevitable (meeting with a wrecking ball) and since I was in SF this week, I said "good bye" to my dear old friend. Bye, Bye you odd-ball landmark - you certainly added a chuckle to many of my days.
Well, being Hugo's fate is inevitable (meeting with a wrecking ball) and since I was in SF this week, I said "good bye" to my dear old friend. Bye, Bye you odd-ball landmark - you certainly added a chuckle to many of my days.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Guess Where I Am?
Whoa-whee, me and The Papa are here again, and got our FastTrack pass out to take a monthly trip over the most beautiful bridge in all the world. Marin and Sonoma Counties, here we come - with stops to our favorite ladies antique boutique in Kentfield, and then onto our favorite Mexican restaurant in Petaluma. It's great going back to our old stomping grounds in the early-mid 1990s. (However, my thoughts go to how exciting it will be when we crossover into the most beautiful place of places - Eternity)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Grace
Grace, Grace, Wonderful Grace 
Coming down from the Father Above
Sweep over my spirit, forever, I pray
in fathomless billows of Love
God supplies perfectly measured grace
to meet the needs of the godly.
For daily needs. . .there is daily grace
For sudden needs. . .sudden grace
For overwhelming need. . .overwhelming grace
God's grace is given wonderfully. . .but not wastefully
Freely. . .but not foolishly
Bountifully. . .but not blindly
John Blanchard
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Barbara
Love you dearly, Mom
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wagging that Counts
One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is
his tail wags instead of his tongue.
Unknown
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Happy Birthday My Angel
Happy Birthday Zoe Claire
September 10, 1995 - February 13, 1996
My precious angel, You are always close to my heart.
Love you dearly, Nana
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Happy Birthday My Princess
Happy Birthday Cassidy
May your day be filled with wonder delight, and may the year be filled with blessings and every good thing. Miss you, but your happiness means more.
Love you dearly, Nana
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
To Carry. . .or to Cast?
To Carry, or to Cast? That is the question we all face from time to time. Our flesh/ego/whatever has us thinking that we can handle whatever comes our way, and that it is a sign of weakness to ask for help. However, the truth is that when we are weighed down with cares and have difficulty moving forward, He wants us to call out to Him - for burden carrying is one of His specialities.
Cast your cares on Him. . .for He cares for your soul.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Rock
Where do I go when there's nobody else to turn to?
Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen?
Who do I lean on when there's no foundation stable?
I go to The Rock. . .I know He's able
I go to The Rock
I go to The Rock for my salvation
I go to the stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain and The Mountain stands by me
When the earth all around me's sinking sand
On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend
I go to The Rock
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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