It's Prayer!

Prayer is the "CURE" for all things!

Guess Where I Am?

No city invites the heart to come to life as
San Francisco does. Arrival in San Francisco
is an experience in living - William Saroyan

Hush!

Don't bother me - I'm having a senior moment!

You know, the best thing about the "golden years" is
you can do anything you want, and nobody's going cross you.

God's Gospel Is Everywhere

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and
flowers and clouds and stars - Martin Luther

Nickel & Dime Time

Can I Have A Witness

What type of witness are you?

Pray Always!

A new meaning to
"praying always with all prayer and supplication..."

Pic: A friend found this booth at the Costco in Santa Rosa California

Got Caught?

Getting caught up in the moment can, on occasion, produce a lifetime of regret. So it is best that with the next temptation, we think first about what's right and what's wrong.

A Tale of the Talebearers

I love fairy tales. Yes, I know they aren't true but there is something about the stories that make one connect them to real life. (Probably being an only child prompted my thinking this way). Well, I got to thinking (again) of what it would be like to read a modern-day tale, so thought I'd try my hand at writing one. Remember it won't be magical like the oldies (unfortunately we don't have much "magic" going on nowadays). So here it goes....

The Five Stepsisters

A Tale of the Talebearers

according to Karen Hopper (12.11.08)

Once upon a time, there were five horribly insensitive stepsisters who regularly attended a church where the Spirit of God desired to freely move in the midst of its people. These sisters didn't seem to relish being in His presence and focused more on their own agenda, being carried away by jealousy and merciless tale bearing; therefore they found fault in the people whose only desire was to serve the King as best they could.

Due to the idleness of these sisters’ day, and the time spent on the telephone (yes, in this story there is a phone; remember this is a modern-day tale). the sisters and their “birds of a feather” friends’ imaginations would conjure up fabricated stories on the unsuspecting. It is said that they did it in order to blind themselves of their shortcomings. Unfortunately, these treacherous ones would visit with one another on a regular, almost daily, basis – looking to find the slightest thing that would allow the thought of something bad or unseemly. Even the littlest thing would turn into a tidbit that would allow them to go about their tattle-bearing and backbiting ways. In many circles, it was called gossip.

Fortunately, the Lord’s people were able to distinguish the marks of these tale bearing sisters, and distanced themselves. What were the distinctive marks labeling these five?

One sister had Big Eyes, which allowed her to search around looking for possible flaws in others, and then magnify each into a major offense against an unsuspecting soul. (It was usually her flaw but she couldn't see it, and would pass it on hoping that it would be moved from her and then she would not to have to deal with it.)

Another sister was known for her Big Ears - ears to hear vile words that acted as a destroyer of a soul; never considering that what she heard may not be true but relishing it as a truth anyway. (And what if it was truth, should judgment be made by mortals under any circumstances? Isn't there only one designated to judge?)

Sister #3 had a Big Mouth to spread untruths, spewing out hateful words while pretending to be genuinely concerned about someone’s salvation and well being. (Wouldn't you think genuine care would get on its knees, and ask God to help a brother or sister?)

Then there was Big Feet who always ran around spreading malicious tones as quickly as possible. Time reporting was always of the essence. God forbid that she would allow juicy gossip to get cold (Talebearer's motto: Be the first to report the fragility of another whether it be true or false.)

And never could the four other sisters have survived without their elder sister, Cold Heart. She was the kindred spirit that held them together through it all and the one that they needed most - she was the "spiritual leader" among the other sisters. She held an important position in her church so she had every right to voice her opinion (and every word was to be taken as gospel). Now, how could such a one ever mouth anything but truths? In fact, in her heart, she felt she knew it all and her every thought was ordained of the King. (Safe to say that CH was a reflection of the condition of her soul as well as that of her sisters.)

Life continued on for the sisters. Each day, the five went about their usual affairs never desiring anything more than to affix themselves on others thought-to-be impurities, and draw others toward their personal vindictive agendas. Never once did they feel what they were saying was wrong, always feeling justified in proclaiming the thought-to-be inadequacies in others. Poor stepsisters! They continued to toil at tattling, tale bearing, deceiving, backbiting and lying until it was their time to have presence with the King. Excitedly, they went to the Kingdom expecting to be rewarded for the labors they had amassed. Why, they had cleaned up the messes that the ministry hadn't taken care of. My, how could a Man of God be so blinded not to know the shortcomings of so many, the sisters thought. It was their duty to take care of the business at hand and do what they did best. The King would be proud of them, bestowing them honor.

The day came when the sisters entered into the presence of the King - and each was rewarded according to their deeds - living UNHAPPILY ever after in a place reserved for their kind.

THE END!

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another?" James 4:11-12

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." Romans 14:12-13

Need I Say More?

Happy King for a Day

Surfs Up! Ride On!

Prayer is a lot like surfing. It's soothing, and its environment is peaceful as well as awesome. Why, the rest of the world even disappears while riding on the waves of prayer.

Help Me!

Help me, please!
I'm restless and want to be “on the go"
but then realize that
I'm half-gone already.

It's in Season

A man's worth has its season, like fruit.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Good Days, And Then (ahh)

Remember,
there will be good days and bad days,
which means that some days we will be cranky
and then some days we will be really cranky!

A Thinking Day

Certain thoughts are prayers.
There are moments when,
whatever be the attitude of the body,
the soul is on its knees. Victor Hugo

A Dog's Life

If dogs could talk, perhaps we’d find it just as hard
to get along with them as we do people.
Karel Capek

A Purpose

REJOICE!

Each season has its own wonder,
its own special place and purpose
in the pattern of God's creation.

Our Road Is Hidden Unless Traveled

The road of life can only reveal itself as it is traveled;
each turn in the road reveals a surprise.

Oh The Clouds of an Endless Sky

Clouds symbolize the veils that shroud God.
Honore De Balzac

picture: Clouds over Richardson Bay, Marin County

Chocoholics Program

Chocolate is cheaper than therapy,
and you don't need an appointment.

Our Road

The road we travel is unpredictable. Sometimes it's smooth and sometimes it's filled with bumps, but if we will but trust Him, the Lord will travel with us.

Hang In There!

Love Dress Down Day!

June 6th Is Special

Happy Birthday, Justin!
Have a super-duper day filled with fun!
So glad you are part of our family.
Love Nana

One More Cup, Please

Fill my cup, Lord...I lift it up, Lord!

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven...feed me till I want no more,
Fill my cup...fill it up, and make me whole!

Family Love

There's no vocabulary to truly describe love within a family for its love is alive, but yet its speech is mostly silent. Yes, the family is one of God's masterpieces - and I thank Him for mine.

Cameron, Barbara, Cassidy & Madison

Kellee

Alisha, Todd, Preston, Regan & Justin

Deserving?

We will never deserve His love.