Paths to God

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 4:7-11

Biggest Loser Week 20

Memorial Day Weekend

Gary and I were out driving around this weekend and took a few pictures.

We took flags and flowers out for Daddy and Larry.

Took this picture at the Orange Works Cafe in Strathmore.

Looking south toward Lindsay from Rocky Hill

Looking toward Yokohl Valley

South side of Rocky Hill

North side of Rocky Hill

Looking west toward Exeter

Looking west toward Exeter.  Nellie & Roger's house in the middle of the orange grove.

Looking west to Exeter

Looking west down Pine Street in Exeter.  The city with the small town charm!

Paths to God

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-9

Isn't wonderful to know that God is always there for us.  All we have to do is ask.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day set apart to remember those who gave their lives for freedom.  Take a moment and reflect on days gone by and remember our young men and women that are in harms way, say a prayer for their safety and for their families at home. 
Always remember Freedom is not Free!

Paths to God

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:6-9 

Relationships

All relationships are a partnership.  One person cannot do all the giving and the other person cannot do all the taking.  They are about communication and by communication I mean; don't yell, don't attack, don't nag, and never ever reprimand someone in front of family and friends.  In a relationship two people are never going to fully agree on everything that comes their way.  So what do you do?  You talk to each other and listen without interrupting.  You explain why you are feeling the way you do and then you let the other person talk.  In other words you agree to disagree.  Respect is a key ingredient to any relationship.  Be kind to each other and don't demand things of each other.  Show through your words and actions that you genuinely care for one another.

Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  1 Corinthians 13:4-5 

Paths to God

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

Psalm 31:1-5

Wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  James 3:17

I pray that God's wisdom falls on me today!

Enjoying Each Other

Gary and I have decided that we are going to take one day a week away from home, phones, computers and just hang out together.  This day will be for us and doing what we want to do.  Last week it was the central coast area so today we thought we hang out in our area.  We had heard about great cafe at the  Woodlake Airport so we headed there for lunch.  Growing up in this area you would think that I would know all about Woodlake but I only remember going there once and that was in high school for a GAA function and I think I only remember that because one of the girls on the Lindsay team fell and broke her arm.  Anyway we set out for Woodlake and you would think that would be easy but you guessed it we made a wrong turn.  We went left when we should have gone right so we made a u-turn and started in the right direction.  We made it to Woodlake but neither one of us knew the name of the cafe or where the airport was.  Gary decided to ask someone at the corner gas station where the airport was.  This nice young man pointed us in the right direction and even told us there was a really good cafe there but he didn't know the name of it.  His directions were; turn left and cross the bridge and it would be on the right side of the road, if we came to the second bridge we had gone to far.  Following his directions we did make it to the airport and The Runway Cafe.  We had a very enjoyable lunch and the cafe lived up to everything we had heard.  While we were having lunch we decided to continue on Highway 216 and came back home through Lemon Cove, still not sure if it is one word or two as we saw it both ways.  While we were driving back to Exeter we decided to stop at the Rocky Hill Ice Cream Parlor in Exeter and wander in and out of the stores for a while.

It was great just spending time together and enjoying each other's company!

  

Appearances

How are often are we quick to judge someone by their appearance?  We see someone that is homeless, their clothes are dirty, their jeans have holes in them, hair is a mess, and they are sporting all kinds of tattoos.  We say to ourselves, "Why don't they just get out and get a job and help themselves?"  We are looking at the outward appearance while God is looking at the inward appearance.  We really don't know what has occurred in their lives or what has brought them to this point in their lives.  Instead of judging them what we should be doing is asking God how we can help.  A friend of mine did just that and is now doing what God told her to do.  She takes a plastic bag and puts in a bottle of water, some granola bars, a Bible tract with her churches address on it, and carries them in her car.  That doesn't sound like much but when you are thirsty and hungry it is a lot.  She is prepared to do what God has instructed her to do.  Are we prepared to do what God is telling us to do?  Why not?

Do not judge other, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.  Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.  Luke 6:37 

Words and Forgiveness

There is an old saying that "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me."  Well I am here to tell you that words do hurt.  They cut deep inside of you where no one can see them and it takes a long time for them to heal.  When someone confides in you about a difficulty they are having in their life don't be quick to judge them.  Don't bring up ancient history of their past mistakes as yesterday is gone and there is nothing we can do to change the past.  We have all been hurt by someone in our past but God's Word tells us we are to forgive them and move forward with our lives and our friendships.  I know that it is really difficult to forget past hurts but if you have truly forgiven the person you will be able to do just that.  When you tell someone you forgive them mean it.  The past is the past and tomorrow we have no control over.  Today is what we have and it is a gift from God.  So tell someone today about God's love and forgiveness because when He forgives He does forget, our slate is wiped clean.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.  Colossians 4:5-6

Biggest Loser Week 19

Faith

What is faith to you?  My Momma had more faith than anyone I know but yet she worried.  She placed all her trust in God but she still worried.  My Momma was a very Godly woman but she still worried.  She prayed everyday for her children and grandchildren.  She knew where she was going to spend eternity but she so worried that some of us would not make right choices.  So she prayed and worried.  She taught us what was right and what was wrong.  She never missed the opportunity to share the love of Christ with us and with those she came in contact with.  In my younger years we would travel every year back to Arkansas to see my grandparents and there was always a Bible laying on the dash of the car.  Momma always said God was guiding our way which He did.  Some would say that she had a lack of faith because she worried and I would disagree.  She loved us, in spite of our faults and poor choices, without condemnation.  It was those choices which caused her to worry, turn us over to God and her faith increased daily as God moved in each of our lives.

Brothers and Sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.  Encourage those who are timid.  Take tender care of those who are weak.  Be patient with everyone.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Sometimes I think we all need to be a little more like my Momma as worry will increase our faith daily as we turn it over to God.  

Conversations

That friend you have been thinking of gives you a call and you are so excited to be able and talk with her/him to see how things are going in her/his life.  You keep waiting for that break in conversation so you can ask how things are going and you keep waiting but it doesn't come.  Don't we do the same thing to God?  We go into our closet to pray and we are quick to ask for things and then we question Him as to why He hasn't done or given us that we wanted.  We carry on a one way conversation instead of just being still and letting God commune with us.  This is exactly what our friends do to us but we love them just as God loves us.  The next time you enter your prayer closet don't rush through your prayers but sit and linger a spell and listen to what God is saying to you.

You can be sure of this:

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him. 

Psalm 4:3 

Biggest Loser Week 18

Prayer

How many times have you asked someone to pray for you?  How many times have you told someone you would pray for them and didn't? 

Prayer is an important part of our Christian walk with Christ.  Prayer opens the door of communication with our Father.  Christ set the example for us.  In the hours before His crucifixion he ask God to take the cup from him.  He also stated not my will but your will.

We get caught up in praying for things that we want not what we need.  God will answer our prayers but it may not be what you asked for.   He will give us the things purposed for our lives. 

We all need prayer so when someone asks you to pray for them do it!

O my people, trust in him at all times.

Pour out your heart to him,

for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:8

Gary's Birthday Celebration

This past Tuesday was Gary's birthday.  We met some friends Tuesday morning for coffee and went to Bible Study Tuesday evening.  Since we had obligations I didn't really plan anything for his birthday other than a Pineapple Lemon Coconut Cake for refreshments at Bible Study.  Tuesday afternoon we decided to spend Wednesday in and around Morro Bay.  We got up early yesterday and headed out.  Of course we needed some pusholine for the car, breakfast for us and since it was Gary's birthday celebration he got to choose where we were going to eat.  We ended up at Jack n Box in Farmersville for a breakfast croissant.  Even with all the fat and calories the sausage and egg croissant, Gary had cheese on his, was delicious. 

The drive over was absolutely beautiful with all the wild flowers in bloom.  When we arrived in Morro Bay we decided to walk around for a while in and out of the little shops, brought some Christmas gifts and Gary decided I needed a hat to wear to next years Friendship Tea.  He brought my hat and I brought him a hat too!  Then it was time to eat again.  Gary chose The Flying Dutchman as that is his favorite restaurant along the waterfront.  We both had Fish n Chips and they were absolutely the best.

After lunch we headed for Cayucos to spend a little time in the antique shops.  We wandered around for about 2 hours looking for a Christmas Teapot but none was to be had.

We then headed for Cambria.  We love Cambria and if we could afford living there it would be our second choice for retirement.  Of course our first choice is Washington State as that is where our children and grandchildren are.  Our first stop was the Ball and Skein.  I love this little shop with all its yarns and knitting needles.  Of course I had to have another pair of the wooden needles.  This time Gary brought me a size 8 triangle shaped needles.  Really anxious to try them out.  We were then off to all the little shops where we wandered in and out of the secret gardens and took pictures of the flowers,  It was them time to return to the quest for the Christmas Teapot so we hit the antique shops along Main Street.  A Christmas Teapot was not to be found.

Well it is now dinner time and Gary had been talking about having a Spaghetti Dinner at Mustache Pete's all day but it was not to be as Mustache Pete's was out of business. :(  So back to Main Street it was to Linn's Restaurant but that didn't work either as neither one of us wanted to pay $14 for a hamburger.  We settled for a frozen yogurt to tied us over until we got to Paso Robles where we then planned to have dinner.

We arrived in Paso Robles and  decided we would drive on back to Visalia to the Olive Garden so Gary could have his Spaghetti Dinner where he changed his mind and had soup and salad.  Both of us forgot all about the eating healthy and had their Italian Donuts for dessert.  Gary had Raspberry dipping sauce and I, of course, had chocolate.  The were absolutely yummy!

We had so much fun yesterday and have decided to take one day a week away from computers and phones and do what we want to do.

Guilt vs Forgivness

Have you ever done something that you are not proud of?  I know I have and the guilt you feel at times is overwhelming.  God's word tell us that we are to go to the person we have wronged and ask for their forgiveness.  Sometime we hang on to the guilt because we can't seem to forgive ourselves and we like to wallow in our own self pity.  If the Almighty Creator can forgive us and forget our past transgressions why can't we?  Life is too short to hang onto past sins/transgressions.  Forgive yourself, get on with God's work, and you'll find that each day of your life will be better than the day before.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient.  We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures.  Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.  But "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit."  Titus 3:3-5

Gary's BirthVerse

In celebration of my sweetie's birthday I thought I would post his BirthVerse today.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!

Sixty-eight years ago today my handsome husband was born

Happy Birthday Gary!

May your day be filled with love.

Paths to God

LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.  Isaiah 25:1

We serve an awesome God. When things go wrong in our lives we are quick to blame others instead of looking deeply inside ourselves. Through hope and prayer do we find the strength to go on and get over ourselves. So, have your pity party and then get on with your life. Give God praise for working miraculously in your life. He has planned great things for us.

Friendship Tea

Last week and weekend were a whirlwind for me but I had a blast.  Our church Women's Ministry hosted the annual Friendship Tea.  The theme for the tea was "Once Upon a Time."  I didn't want to do the princess thing so Nellie suggested Garden Fairies and I took the idea and ran with it.  I probably spent to much money but I was having so much fun putting it all together.  My original idea was to make napkins with a garden fairies print but none was to be found at the local fabric stores.  So I decided to add Butterflies to the decoration.  I spent a lot of time at our local Hobby Lobby Store and found the fabric for a tablecloth, butterflies and ribbon for the napkin rings, and a beautiful garden fairy to use as my centerpiece.  I also made a trip to the Dollar Store and found 3 small garden fairies and some little plates to use as tea bag holders.  At the Ross Store I picked up some photo holder stands and used them as my place card holder.  Since I have a Teacup Collection that part was easy.  Now it was time to put it all together.  So Friday afternoon Nellie and I headed to the church to setup and decorate my table. 

I think it turned out beautiful!!!

Paths to God

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love

and Christ’s perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Paths to God

Today is my baby sister Nellie's birthday.  So today I thought I would post her BirthVerse.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:12

Friendship

Everyone needs a true friend.  Someone they just talk to and pour their heart out to.  Someone that will truly listen to them and not condemn them for saying what they are feeling.  Do you have a true friend?  If not cultivate your friendships and you may find out that you can be a true friend to someone in need.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.   Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Romans 12:9-14

Paths to God

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”   Matthew 9:10-13

Christ tells us that we are to go out into the world and share the Good News of salvation and an eternity with Him and our Heavenly Father. 

 Are you doing this?  If not, why?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Paths to God

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.   Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:7-10

Happy Mother's Day to My Beautiful Mom!

My Mom was my best friend and was a living example of the Proverbs 31 Woman to me.  I could go to her with anything and she would sit and listen to me rant and rave, and then share with me.  She taught me about how to pray and the importance of prayer.  One time I asked her to pray that Gary got the job he was being interviewed for in California City and for his safe travel there as all of the roads south out of the San Joaquin Valley were closed due to snow.  Her answer to me was, "No I won't pray for that" and I responded with "Why not?"  Her answer to me was, "I will pray for God's will and if He intends for Gary to have the job he will get it.  She set the example of how a wife and mother should take care of her household.  She made sure there was laughter in the house even during difficult times. Although she didn't drive she always made sure we went to church on Sunday.  I could probably count on one hand the number of times we went out for Sunday dinner as she usually always had something cooking for dinner and after church someone was always invited to have Sunday dinner with us.  She was a blessing to all of us kids, her grandchildren, and everyone she came in contact with.  A stranger was a friend she hadn't met.  If they needed what little she had more than she did it was theirs.  She never got to meet any of her great-grandchildren as God called her home at the young age of 57.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her and wish she was here.  Someone asked what my perfect Mother's Day would be and I answered, "To have my Mom with us for one more day so she could know her great-granddaughter Awbrey and for Awbrey to know the love and sweet gentle spirit of the woman I call Mom.

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful Mom!

Happy Mother's Day

Every Mother's Day I would send my Mom a White Orchid and I would always request that it be delivered on Sunday morning so it would be fresh for church.  I would give her a call around 9:00 AM knowing the Orchid would have been delivered by then and we would sit and talk for a while.  That was the greatest time of day for me and I really miss those times.  I still give my Mom flowers for Mother's Day but I do it a little different.  My sister Nellie and I will head to the cemetery the day before Mother's Day with  bouquets of flowers for Mom, our sister Linda, and our niece Debbie.  In the past we always bought the flowers but now we make the bouquets with flowers we gather from our own flower gardens.  This makes the bouquets special to us.  This year on Mother's Day the family will gather at Nellie and Roger's place and we'll celebrate all the Mom's in our family.

My Mom

                        

                                                                

                                                                                 

               

                                                             
                                                                       

                                                                                             

Happy Mother's Day to all the special Mom's in our family!!!