Bear Valley Beauty

If you head North on I-5 and then get off on Higway 20 towards Clear Lake you will pass the gravel road that takes you back to large expanses of Ranchland.  During the Spring the floor of the valley bursts forth with greens, yellows, purples, whites,  oranges, and blues.  I was blessed to go there two Saturdays ago.  While it isn't blooming as dramatically as years when we had just the right amount of rain and warmth, it still was beautiful.  Everything smells so sweet and the sounds of the birds singing is just beautiful.  As the Holy Ghost charges our spiritual batteries so does the beauty of our Lord charge my spirit, soul, mind, and body.  The serenity and peace that I find there every Spring draws me back, year after year.  God is good, always.  His beauty surrounds us.  We need only to take the time to see.  Please enjoy.

David and Lindsey

What a great couple!  We had so much fun spending the day with David and Lindsey.  It reminded us of Robin and I 26 years ago.  Just going out, enjoying the day, being who we are, and being with people we care about.  We sure do love these two.  And the icing on the cake, their beautiful children.  May God continue to bless them.  Family photos to follow soon!

ESCAPING THE POLLUTIONS OF THE WORLD!

"These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again;  and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." 2Peter:17-22

When I read these words it makes me even more determined to endure to the end.  A great fear comes over me.  I can't imagine going back to the life I lived for 55 years nor can I imagine how much worse it would be if I turned back. But,  I have seen it happen over and over again over the past 5 years.  I remember living for myself and for the world and what it got me.  I remember the large hole in my soul that I attempted to fill with cigarettes, alcohol, television, movies, music, etc..  No matter how much I partook of any or all of these the more empty I felt.  I wish I could stress loud enough, long enough, and hard enough to our youth, young adults, grown-ups, and yes,  even elders,  how much the world doesn't have to offer you.  You can never fill that emptiness, no matter what you do, until you truly turn your life to Jesus.  I remember telling Pastor the first Christmas we were at The Rock,  how for the first time that hole had been filled.  I keep thinking that I cannot become more at peace, happier, loved, filled with joy, but each and every year I look back at the previous year and see how God has continued to help me grow and filled me to overflowing. 

Don't listen to those voices that say, "you have to give up so much" or "you are missing out on so much fun" or "you don't know what you are missing".  I can tell you what you are missing.....absolutely nothing.  Let God continue to strengthen  you and trust in the Lord.  That is truly the only thing that will fulfill you.  This world offers nothing for you.  Stay in church and endure.  That is everything.  That is your eternity.   God bless you all.