Category Archives: Special Interest

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A Befuddled Year but That’s Okay

A year ago I went to Florida for Christmas ’round this time. I then spent the holidays with my daughter and her family. Oh what fun it was! Quite a difference from my home in northern California. The kids made Graham Cracker gingerbread houses. They had so much fun. We went to a Christmas service. Everything was well done. I enjoyed it very much. How beautiful it all was.

The Christmas day was as exciting as you would expect. The kids opened their gifts and we opened our gifts. It took awhile. I loved going through the gifts and helping wherever. It was so fun to be with them all. Everyone was loved and cared for in a special way. God was there too. I sensed His presence throughout the day. He made the day turn out right. With seven kids, that’s saying something!

Their dogs behaved well too. Titus’s cat, as well. We were well protected. The dominant dog, Duke, a German shepherd, keeps a good watch over everybody and everything. The other dog, Stryker, was fuzzy and warm. He took it all in time with a big family. Lily, the cat, is smart, and manages to stay clear of the children and to bring in a few treasures that she finds outside (I’m sure you can imagine what). As I write this, I am feeling sort of sad cuz I miss them. I last saw them in August when they came out my way.

However, best of all, I like the emphasis they put on teaching their children about the Lord. They want them to know Jesus as their Savior and blessed Lord and God as their Almighty Protector and Vigilant Keeper. The kids all belong to their parents now including the adopted siblings. It’s not easy, but they are willing to go the extra mile to make sure these children are a meaningful and important part of their family unit.

I was a little nervous at first, as I expect you would be as well. God made us to love and to love well. Once we learn how to love, the love has the power to grow, and to grow meaningful. I love the kiddos very much. I am excited when I hear from them. Their lives have such interesting twists and turns. You never know quite what to expect. But all is well. I’m so glad.

In a Christmas Service in their town.

The visit came to a close but with a delay. The flights were canceled a couple of days. Then I became ill and my sister flew out to Florida in order to fly home with me. She was a big blessing. Best of all, she got a brief visit in my daughter’s home. I am very fortunate to have three loving siblings, loving grown children, five of them, and two loving Son-in-laws, and seven loving grandchildren. I thank God for every single one of them. God has blessed me. He abundantly blesses. I truly am thankful for God’s part in bringing everyone into my life.

I end this Christmas missive with gracious and abundant well-wishes for you and your family and whomever happens to read it. God bless you. He loves you more than you can imagine it. He will keep you regardless of what strange, unexpected and exciting things happen to you in your life. Really! It is wonderful.

God reigns. God keeps. God sustains.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

God bless YOU.

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As With Your Holy Forebears

I wrote the following words and delivered them. Why? They spoke of what I thought of the man. I meant every word. I still do. Read it and think about what I am trying to say. He was and is a remarkable man. That’s saying something. Read it slowly and carefully.

“As with your holy forebears, grant your servant

the wisdom of Solomon,

the heart of David,

the leadership of Moses,

the prayer of Daniel,

the courage of three Hebrew boys,

the faith of Abraham,

the integrity of Joseph,

the strength of Samson,

the endurance of Paul,

the message of John the Baptist,

the knowledge of Timothy,

the love of Mother Mary,

the compassion of Christ,

the ministry of the Holy Trinity,

that His grace may be seen in you.”

Written for D. La Barbera on his priest ordination.

A Remarkable Assignment

Sometimes we know that God is doing something remarkable in someone else’s life. Though we aren’t as close now, we are pleased and thankful for what He is doing in that other person’s life. We know that the choices they are making will project mightily into their future and will affect all their choices from here on out. And that is exactly what has happened to this man of God.

God Was Doing Something Remarkable

He opened up to me (in the distant past-2008) before he was considering the priesthood. His life had turned around in a remarkable way, through God’s intervening and his interest in knowing the ways of God at work in his and other people’s lives. It was exciting to watch, but, unfortunately, and formidably, I was unused to the Anglican way. This made me skeptical and unsure of what it all meant. But God knew I was curious. He started a new work in me that I was unprepared for, to say the least.

You Never Know, Until You Know

I started reading books outside the religious parameters I had previously set for myself. I read books by Anglican and catholic priests, books written before the baptist generations, some I never, ever conceived in my bearing as worthy and remarkable and healthy and glorious before I read them. God was awakening me to books I thought were unimaginably off-limits to full of God’s truth and righteousness. Imagine my surprise when I found copious amounts of mind blowing graces and abundances. It really was amazing, and that’s the truth.

What a Difference It’s Made

I have never been the same since I went on that journey of discovery. I’m so thankful and blessed that I looked beyond my limited understanding. My passions haven’t changed, for I am much the same in my theological interpretations, but I am different in so many other ways. I realized we all walk our own tune. We are judged according to God’s truth, Word, and practicalities. Everything we do has a righteous judge. God takes us where we’re at. Period. That’s the way I see it now.

I’m so glad God got my attention back in 2008. I look the same (other than a few more years and a few less pounds) but I am much more accepting of others. When He got my attention, it was so worth it. I spent a year visiting a Trappist monastery, even stayed overnight. It was SO worth it, and it meant so much to me. As I close this out, I want to say that it is well worth the time and effort it takes to look and ponder what God is trying to show you.

Pay Attention, It’s Worth It

And that’s the Truth. We can be so full of our opinions and beliefs that we miss whole amounts of God’s word and His truth. If He’s trying to wake you up, WAKE UP! Don’t waste time. It is so worth it! We can be so full of our opinions and beliefs that God can’t get in one little bit. If you’re strong enough to know the word of God, you are strong enough to consider these truths of God. I promise you…you won’t be sorry.

You might read ‘Confessions’ and other books by Saint Augustine or an a sundry of books by Thomas Merton. There’s other excellent books by J. McDowell and a wide variety of books by C.S. Lewis and so many more. Winter is the best for digging deep and challenging your thinking. Is there an author that your mind keeps pushing aside until later,– well, then, it’s time for you to take it up and read it. God brings a few pieces of truth for us to look at and ponder. Let Him show you what He wants you to see. He may have a couple of surprises awaiting you. He will direct you if you ask Him to. I hope this helps.