Sunrise on Lake Houston

Have you ever stopped and just thought of the beautiful gifts God has placed in your life?

I have spent four days with this view at my disposal.  I didn't see the sunrise everyday, but this one particular morning I was up at just the right time.  In fact, I was almost too late to get a good picture.  The sun was getting higher up in the sky and my phone caught the glare.

This gift embraces me with peace.  I can walk down to the water and feel the cares of life begin to melt away.  The breeze wraps itself around me as I watch the birds glide overhead.

Then, there are the deer.  They wait patiently for the feeders to go off, relaxing in the green grasses of the lawns of those who love the wild life and provide for them.

Every time I take a vacation at my friend's home, I realize how blessed I am to be able to enjoy the views provided.  God knows what we need and makes a way to give us that peaceful retreat just when it is most useful.

I am always amazed at His care as He brings about circumstances to make sure I am doing well.
God loves me so much that He gave friends who have resources that they share to make my life better!

Hopefully, I can return the friendship, Jer. 29;11

The World Through Cataracts...

Cataracts:

Ophthalmology:  an eye disease in which the lens becomes covered in an opaque film that affects sight, eventually causing total loss of sight.  It can be treated surgically by replacing the lens with an artificial implant.

I have cataracts.  Surgery will clear up my vision so that I possibly won't even need glasses.  It is a condition I have developed over the years.  The reason?  Aging.

I think this country has developed cataracts.  Things that were once black and white have now become fuzzy.  Definitions of right and wrong have been rewritten.  I don't think they have necessarily changed, but as our society has walked further and further away from respecting God and having a belief in Him, the definitions have been replaced with those adhered to throughout history by mankind who chooses to do what is right in his own eyes.

There is a cure.  But, I have to choose to undergo an uncomfortable surgery of the soul to see clearly.  When I accepted Jesus Christ, I began a spiritual surgery to remove the cataracts of political correctness and self fulfillment.  Being filled with His Spirit will remove the opaque moral issues and give me clarity of His will.

1 Corinthians 13:12  King James Version (KJV)

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

I like me better when I am under His guidance than the me I am when rattling around squinting, bouncing off walls,

THE CALL OF THE SEA...

Several years ago I discovered a place that brought peace to my soul.  I had gone through a period of immense stress and was unable to relax.  I made a trip to Galveston Island and spent several days lost in the sound of the surf as it rushed in and then raced back into the Gulf.  This experience made me realize how much I loved the water and the calm that came with it.

The picture is from a house that stood directly in front of the one we had rented.  It speaks everything I felt as I looked into the moving waters welcoming me to the West End.  The pelicans flew in formation and the gulls danced at the waters edge.

The moment my tires hit the causeway on I45, I feel a sense of peace and calm that eludes me any other place.  The cares of life let go and I spend the next few hours visiting my favorite restaurant, beach shop and the West End.

The Sunflower Cafe is one of my destinations.  They have anything anyone would want to eat but I keep ordering their quiche. Then, I choose a chocolate brownie or cake or lemon pie or on and on.  Decisions decisions!!!

After lunch I head up Broadway to the beach.  Across the street from The Galvez is my FAVORITE spot in the world!  Murdoch's has two, not one, but two shops!  Connecting the two shops is a porch that I could live on.  There is always a breeze!  It has chairs and rockers and looks out into the vast waters of the Gulf.  If you look to your right, you can see the Pleasure Pier and the excitement surrounding the rides.

Once I have soaked in the windy atmosphere of this beautiful spot, I head to the West End.  Why?  The houses call me to investigate the beautiful architecture and drive onto the beach.  I look for shells and anything unbroken,  Once in a while there are great discoveries!  The pelicans glide overhead as I breathe slowly in and out.

My day ends as I pull into Sonic or McDonald's for a drink to sip on as I head down 61st Street and turn on I45 headng North toward Houston.

God has given me a peace and joy that is inexpensive and wonderful as I leave  the sounds of the Gulf water hitting the shore and retreating.  It is a constant thing and I am reminded of His loving care constantly moving in and out in my life.  Jeremiah 29:11

LaRue and Clara

PROVERBS 3:5,6

My Mother was a tall woman.  Her long legs made sitting on her lap secure and safe.  I would lean back, her arms locking me in place and go to sleep. (She was over 80 when she died and I still felt safe on her lap.)

 My Grandmother Treat, on the other hand, was short and wide.  Sitting on her lap was wonderful; she was like a fluffy pillow.  But, I had to hold on.  There just wasn't enough room between her stomach and knees to provide the width needed for restful sleep.

 The difference in napping on my Mother's lap and my Grandmother's, was comparable to sleeping on a king-size bed or a twin. I would take either one every chance I got!

Proverbs 3:5,6 has been a "king-size" Scripture that I have been able to embrace and in it I have found respite. Try it on.


 "TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATH."  Proverbs 3: 5,6

Remembering My Youth...

In 1963 I drove my Yellow Volkswagon through the gates of Southern Bible College at 10950 Beaumont Hwy. in Houston, Texas. For the next 9 years, I was engulfed and surrounded by an incredible group of people who nurtured and mentored my life.  I dreamed, failed, overcame and found a foundation for my youthful Faith that has never been destroyed.

This past weekend, there was a reunion of over 150 fellow SBC students in Carthage, MO.  For many years, a couple in North Houston hosted a New Year get-to-gather for those who could come to the Houston area.

Do you know what I found?  It just doesn't matter the amount of time that has elapsed - the bond goes deep and memories rise fast and often when we come together.  Time stands still and the events of 50 years drop away to the wonderful time we were young and just knew that God was speaking directly to our minds and hearts.  We were His Ambassadors.  We heard the "call" and came to learn and find His direction.

There have been many choices made over the past 50 years.  Some were exactly what He wanted me to do.  Others, I did what I wanted and missed His plan entirely.  But, there was a foundation laid that hasn't been destroyed whatever the circumstance. Friendships have lasted like the Pyramids of Egypt.  The nose may be gone from the Sphinx, but it still stands!

I know that God directed this child to that place. I was exposed to ministers who were ethical. They were who they said they were and lived what they preached.  Their lives live on in the ministries that were founded and flourished because of their example.  I miss them.

At times, I am once again 18 and excited about the future.  At other times, I am a mature alumni from a small college tucked away in east Houston, TX.

The site is now a half-way house.  Clark Hall is gone now, but the residents who lived there were convinced it was "haunted."  The Holy Spirit visited that building often during the time SBC lived there.  They were Oh So Right!

(A big thanks to Mark Pendergrass for the photos he found and posted on Facebook.)

Solitary environment...

There was one way in and one way out to Randy's Cabin.  It took three to four minutes driving about 5 miles an hour to reach the clearing.  This was the road that led to the reclusive and peaceful site.

Solitude.  No TV, no internet (except sporadically on the phone), only the fire flies and quiet.  The owners lived just up the hill.  I guess if it had gotten too difficult, we could have made friends with them and watched their dish TV.  Only saw signs of them twice during the entire weekend.

It was a place to make friends with oneself.  There wasn't any distraction from the voice inside that formerly was shouting to get my attention.  Choices and decisions paraded in front of my eyes, seeking solutions and direction.  What to do about this?  Did I choose wisely while buying the three pair of same shoe only in different colors from geek.com?  How much will it cost to return two of them?  The mustard was just too much!

It was somewhat of a relief when we were down the mountain and my phone kicked in.  Those nagging questions left unanswered were put on hold as we stopped at Pickles Gap and wandered the souvenir shops.  I found a Black Hills Gold ring I couldn't resist!

(Just kidding about the shoes.  However, geek.com is a fun place to shop for a few dollars!)

The quiet was good for me.  I sat on the porch and was able to allow myself the time to reflect and get reconnected to me.  When it is all said and done, it will just be me and my Creator.  I must find His plan daily.  To establish that, I must be willing to look myself in the eye, heart and mind and move forward.

Jeremiah 29:11  His plan.  His purpose.  His way.