A Friend

A friend is someone who understands. . .and accepts you just the way you are.

Believe It? Believe It!!!

It’s the old Ship of Zion. . .it's the hope for the lost and the dying

It’s the soul saving station. . .it's the joy of my salvation
Well it’s the church triumphant oh lord. . .and it's built by the hand of the Lord.

I’m talking about a church in the Book of Revelation

It's built on the rock got a firm foundation

It's been through the flood, it’s been through the fire

and one of these days the church is going to move up higher

It’s the church triumphant oh lord. . .and it's built by the hand of the Lord

It's been through the flood. . .but the flood couldn’t harm it

It's been through the fire. . .but the fire couldn’t burn it

Been fed to the lions. . .but the lions couldn’t eat it

Fought a lot of wars. . .but never been defeated

It’s the church triumphant. . . and it's built by the hand of the Lord.

I Have Hope!

I have Hope (there's a land that's better)

I have Hope (where the soul lives on)

I have Hope (that the sun shines brighter). . . in that land.

Walking by Faith. . . I'll reach my Goal,

Over the Hills I see the Lights of Home.

My crown is won, my race is run. . .I have Hope.

(I love these words from a great old song)

The Lighthouse

There's a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea
When I'm tossed it sends out a light that I might see
And the light that shines in darkness now, will safely lead me home
If it wasn't for the lighthouse. . .my ship would sail no more.

Everyone that lives around us. . . says tear that old lighthouse down
The big ships don't sail this way anymore. . .ain't no use in it standing round
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night. . .when just in time I saw the light
Light from that old lighthouse that stands there on the hill.

And I thank God for the Lighthouse. . .I owe my life to Him
Jesus is the Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin
He has shown a light around me that I might clearly see
If it wasn't for the Lighthouse. . .where would this ship be?

Can you tell? My heart has been filled with song this week - and this 1971 song is just another testimony of the Lord's love, mercy and grace.

Hope

Hope is the dream of a soul awake.

French Proverb

I've Got a Long Way to Go

I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.
I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like Him.
I’ve got to be merciful, dutiful. . .faithful and true,
Kind and just. . .in all that I do.
I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

I don’t remember trudging
Up a rugged hill,
With a cross upon my back.
I don’t recall a thorny crown
Thrust upon my brow,
Now, as I look back,
I’ve never been spat upon,
Ridiculed, wounded
In my side,
Life’s no bed of roses,
But still I can’t deny,
I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

Traveling onward, upward,
Daily, Lord, am I
On my way to victory.
And when I reach my Calvary,
Someday by and by,
Lord, remember me.
I want You to strengthen me,
Encourage me, deliver me I pray.
For I know my weakness,
And that is why I say,
I’ve got a long way to go. . .to be like the Lord.

(I love this song!)

Huh? Say That Again!

Be Aware of Your Surroundings!

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil. . . walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. . ." 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Only the Facts Please

Is beef the best for us? Or is chicken the best? I think both industries would say theirs is the best and give reasons why, even if their reasons where undocumented or unproven. It's like us, sometimes we just listen, and assume - without checking the facts. Now here I go. . .

"Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see" is very good advice. How often do we hear from those bearing tales of having "heard" something concerning a fellow Christian or someone else? We find ourselves eagerly accepting their words because it is truly a "good" person telling us or it's what we want to hear about that person. However, wouldn't it be wise not to hastily take these words as Gospel until the facts are presented straight from the person being talked about?

This past week I marveled in watching/hearing someone tell what certain people were going to do when they had heard nothing, nor knew nothing about what would transpire. I can't help but believe it was done for them to feel that they were on top of certain situations; and I fear that the person listening felt everything was in order. To put it bluntly, the person was offering words on personal assumptions but sadly, if anyone repeats what they were saying, they will be the bearers of hearsay.

For me it was just another lesson in how careful we must be. May we chose wisely our words and guard our tongues always - never providing hearsay to others in place of truth. For hearsay is just that until it's proven.

Now back to the cow and the chicken - can you tell me which meat is the best for us? Now remember to think carefully before you answer. For health reasons, we don't need hearsay.

Home - Sweep Home

Housekeeping? What stories can be told. It seems that a woman is either a good housekeeper or a horrible one. There are hardly any "in-betweens." Having an immaculately kept house doesn’t necessarily ensure us the title of a good “Susie Housekeeper” (know they normally say Susie Homemaker but wanted to be different!) – it could just mean no one really gets to live there. However, on the other hand, if our house is filthy – like where pigs feel comfortable – we are probably horrible housekeepers.

Truthfully, to make a house a home, we need a few papers here or there, and a book dislocated from its shelf. Oh yes, let's not forget, a fuzz ball under one of the beds. There is no reason we cannot be labeled a good housekeeper having those things in our midst – nor will a few water spots on the tub enclosure or dirty laundry in the clothes hamper label us Bad. These can be the signs of a living, breathing family. However, the Word does mention idleness (or laziness), which could account for dirt/grime round and about, or offensive odors floating throughout the house, (I’ll leave other “nasty” housekeeping thoughts to your imagination). Oh no, I just thought of someone's house that is just like what I’ve been speaking of! You did too?

Well, here I go remembering again. Folks, when you are close to turning 70, you are allowed all the moments you can to even think.

In my lifetime, I have visited a house where cockroaches battled us for the plates. What an experience! There is also the story of animals. Have any of you ever gone to a person’s house where farm animals roamed freely inside it? Yes, farm animals, not domestic pets. Sound far-fetched? No, not really. Believe me, in such an atmosphere, you have to thoroughly inspect where you walk, where you sit, and even where you stand – and never touch! Another adventure is where the hostess puts down silver/china on the table (without wiping it off) right after she’s shooed the family cat off the table? It’s happened. Why there have been many times, I’ve stopped at the first gas station or park on my way home because their restroom facilities were cleaner than the one(s) in the house I just left. Now that’s bad!!!

I said all that to say this – what’s our spiritual house look like? What do people see when they look at us (in the spirit)? Hopefully, we keep our spirits clean. Continuously keeping the dirt that blows our way and the grime that sticks itself to our spirit at bay. We can’t be idle but must sweep filth out heart’s door (not just sweeping it under the rug). We need to shine on and polish our spiritual house daily so we can continue our refinement to perfection.

Happy cleaning! (and NO, you can't hire someone like "Merry Maids" to do it for you!).

Kind

Remember the old Russian Proverb:
A KIND WORD IS LIKE A SPRING DAY.

And a Kind Word will develop into amazing friendships.

Let It Rain

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass

. . . it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Knock, Knock

"Behold, I have set before you an open door

which no one can shut. . ." Rev 3:8

Remember that the open door set before us

must sometimes be entered in total faith.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matt 7:7

Want'a Chance It?

Open Wide

Yesterday was dentist day due to the abrupt loss of a tooth; therefore, I thought this picture appropriate. Does it not tell a story? However, I am thankful that my dentist has a much more relaxing entry. This one would scare me to death.

Could It Go to Your Head?

Was reading the San Francisco electronic news the other day, and saw pictures of the latest rage. It's Hats. Yep, hats are taking center stage in all shapes, sizes and fabrics. It all stems from the January 2009 Presidential Inauguration. Few people had their heads covered that day despite the cold. However, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, did - topping her outfit with a dove-gray wool chapeau, dominated by a giant bow set off at an angle and lined in sparkling Swarovski crystals. The hat was an instant sensation. Even before Ms. Franklin had finished singing “My Country, Tis of Thee” on the inaugural podium the orders were coming in.

So it is with this that we find ourselves in the midst of a sea of millinery splendor. Take a peek at some of the latest offerings, and I'll let you be the judge of whether hats is where it's at.

Nothing But A Dreamer

You see things; and you say "Why?"
But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"
quote George Bernard Shaw

There are times in life when a dream is all we have. We can either question it, or we can make it work to the Lord's advantage. It will require putting our dreams in motion, and not getting hung up on the nightmares.

Bye, Bye

The time has come when more of my family is moving from California. It brings mixed emotions of sadness and happiness. I'm sad at their moving but happy to see the excitement in their faces because of the opportunities in taking on the challenges of their transplant to Louisiana, and being near Barbara's family. Well, everything is in order: property in Belmont CA sold, properties in Louisiana already purchased, plans for a new house being finalized, and Madi & Cassie already enrolled in school back there. Barbara, Madi & Cassie fly out of SFO this morning, with Cameron starting back Wednesday (his work will have him spending time in Louisiana and San Francisco). I pray only the best for them.

To My Kids: Praying you have a safe trip, and want to say that I love you all dearly.

I Love Babies

A Book's Cover

We don't judge a book by its cover but the contents to be read inside. So I ask, why are we quick to judge others by just a glance?

The Lord's Army

I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!

Forgiveness

What a way to get even with your enemies! LOL

Irish Blessings to You

Wishing You Irish Blessings. . .

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.


May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.


May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.

And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

Get Out the First Aid Kit. No, Faith Aid!

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. Lance Armstrong

Remember, Faith is a powerful medicine!

Don't Be A Pig!

A little different thought today, presented in a little different way but I feel a little different.

Matt. 7: 26-37 (NIV) says, "But everyone who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. He builds his house on sand. The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. And it falls with a loud crash."

However, in this case it's not the wind or the rain - it's a wolf. What kind of wolf? Matt. 7:15-16 (NIV), "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you pretending to be sheep. But on the inside they are hungry wolves. You can tell what they really are by what they do."

All I can say is - we must not let ourselves become pigs, wanting to hear only the things we want to hear, and tossing all else aside. So many today have a hard time hearing the truths in God's Word because they would have to change their "housing sites" from "beachfront property" to tract housing. Heaven forbid if they (the piggies) couldn't have it all and be privileged to "prime real estate".

Well, I must go now to make sure I'm anchored on the Rock, and not building my life upon the sand. How about you?

Take A Breath

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

Do You Wanta Dance, Etc?

DANCE
as though no one is watching you

LOVE

as though you have never been hurt before

SING

as though no one can hear you

LIVE
as though heaven is on earth

Thank God I Am Free

Thank You Lord
for the Freedom of Religion

This 1943 Norman Rockwell painting depicts the Freedom of Religion (or to worship). The picture shows eight people, four women and four men - all of whom are praying in his or her own way. Some are praying with eyes open, some with eyes closed. Some have their heads bowed, while another looks upward, another holds rosary beads, and one holds the Word (Bible). It speaks volumes as to the freedom we daily take for granted.

May we continue to enjoy this 4th of July weekend, but in so doing, realize the privilege we have as Americans to partake in the freedom to worship our Lord and Saviour.

Let Freedom Ring!

I love the United States of America.
May God bless us and keeps us "through the night, with the light from above".

July 4th 2009

in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

God Bless America! July 4th 2009

Styling?

Could this be the latest in fashion? It's called "balloon twisting". Yep, every outfit is made from balloons. BTW: Let's hope nobody has a pin.

The Challenge of Sorting

At first when you look at the picture, you see dark horses - but when looking closely, you see the real objects. It's that way in life too, and thereby makes sorting out the real from the illusory one of life's greatest challenges. How often is there a disconnect between our perceptions and the underlying reality? Things are not always as they first seem. At first we see the zebras' shadows as prominent, and the zebras themselves as minute. However when the light fades and night comes, the only things remaining are the zebras. The shadows are gone.

What am I trying to say? Well, seeking what seems good can be bad for us, and accepting what seems bad can actually be good. We can't allow ourselves to be drawn to the shadows that fill our lives. We must have confidence and seek out the "zebras". We must believe that the Lord is working on our behalf at all times, even when it doesn't seem that way.

The Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier expresses my thought for this day.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for help, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all men, most richly blessed.