Following Jesus

     In this world, words are thrown about until their meanings are distorted or lost. Ask someone of their faith and they will say I'm a Christian. Usually that is followed by "my denomination is Protestant, Catholic, tongue speaking Holy Ghost Believer, etc. So here we are, we have Denominations, (To name the nations) to separate identity, God forbid you were mistaken for the wrong type of Christian, people might think you are a Holy Roller, or one of those door to door pests we hide from, pretending  we are not home, and then there is that group that believes it's ok to have multiple wives ( out of the frying pan into the fire). There are several types of dancing, there is the lively dance where you tuck your hands under your arm pits and wave your elbows while you strut around, I call it the chicken wing dance. usually people that do it have first worked into a frenzy. There is dancing in the Spirit, an inner voice says, if you want a blessing get up and dance, or get up and run around the building, or just let go and let God lead. I am not putting this down in any way, I have been blessed this way myself. At times I speak in tongues, I have received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. It is unexplainably joyful and you are filled like an overflowing spring with the glorious Spirit of God. What does Jesus think of his servants splitting into factions, and destroying the Unity of faith in the bonds of peace? It was never his intention, so why would it be instituted? Is Christ divided?

     When Jesus walked physically among us He gathered disciples from everyday people. We are to be as those faithful servants, Followers of Jesus, we have so much trouble trying to fulfill our calling in this world of church organizations. Why? like the example when the Ark of the Covenant was on the move. A certain man got worried that the cart might tip enough to dump the Ark, he reached out and touched it with an unclean hand, and when he touched it he dropped dead. Being a Pastor is a serious calling. He must be clean in his heart and in deeds & must examine himself often to see if there be any faults, and if there are, he must pray and repent, he must leave his life open before the Lord !

     The Pastor watches over the flock of God, he sees that they are healthy, well fed, sheltered it the strong tower. So, our obligation as followers of Jesus is to take hold of the teachings in the bible, and establish them in our hearts so we become as He is. The followers of that day didn't claim to be Christians, they lived like He taught them, and because they were so much like Jesus that people referred to them as Christians. It is not a club that you join, even though some denominations have you join, pledge part of your income, give you certificates of baptism, at one time there was a dress code, numbers began to dwindle and now there is no dress code.

Make no mistake, following Jesus is the straight and narrow path that leads to life everlasting, any other way is an onramp to that Broadway the leads to destruction. Read your Bible daily, pray without ceasing, ask Jesus to show you any wicked way that might be in you. Ask him to set you amongst a people that love the truth of the word of God, contrary to what some say, do not forsake  coming together to pray, praise, worship, sing and rejoice in the Lord.

   

   

Micke Grove THE TEA GARDEN

COI

Coi fish

Serene 

Bridge
 

Cerimonial building for meetings, weddings etc.

 Between Stockton & Lodi California sits a beautiful shaded park known as: Micke Grove. In this park is a small zoo, a Playland with rides mainly for kids ( cotton candy & all those goodies), many picnic sights, a ball diamond, Frisbe Golf course & The Japanese Tea Garden. We went to the Tea Garden in the late part of the day. It was one of the calmest, most serene places. so much so I didn't want to leave. It would be indescribable for me, so I took these photo's to share with you. It was a hot day, but with the shade of so many Oak Trees the temperature in the garden was quite comfortable. Our area has a strong Japanese presence. In Stockton we have a very nice Buddist Temple. Next weekend is the Oban Festival with traditional costumes & dancing. My former employers family will be participating  in the event, a very beautiful family. I will look into it and see if I am welcome to observe. The growth of our communities is largely in debt to the hard work and skills of Japanese Americans. They have so many qualities that are to be admired. We had brought our grandson Abel to the Zoo, but he seemed to enjoy the garden more & so did I.

Golden Coi

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Dan - Grounds Keeper -  Thank him for the beauty of the Tea Garden

Declaration of Independence - Text Transcript

Declaration of Independence - Text Transcript

July is a time to celebrate & reflect

     Today marks the beginning of July. A very hot month here in Stockton. We have already gone through a few days over 100 degrees. I'm looking forward to placing our thirteen colony flag in the holder by the front doorway. Our founding fathers had so thoroughly planned the Declaration of Independence. Now we are facing a government run by socialists , whose agenda it to destroy our system of government. I love this country, but it hurts to see the citizens stand by with their heads hung down while their rights are being taken from them. What on earth possesses people to give up and drink the Kool-aid.

Things I wanted to say

     It has been a while since my last post, and I apologize for that. I went to UCSF last week and my MELD score has gone from 15 to 16, meaning my liver disease has gotten a little worse. I didn't like what I have been hearing from the Doctors since. If I have the gastric bypass (Banana Surgery) they will do an angiogram and put a shunt in my Portal Vein. A friend of mine had that exploratory procedure and died on the table. The Shunt can bring on encephalopathy, which can mean I lose my memory. I am already struggling with this when my ammonia levels rise. My blood cell count is bad enough that if I have any procedures, I must take a transfusion of plasma.
     Well, enough of that, it really doesn't bother me until I am face to face with it. It has inspired me to join WeightWatchers and I am doing well with it so far. the food is good & tasty and it is enough to satisfy. My good friend Libby Sweiger in MN. said she will be my partner, and will be there for me should I slip, or feel like slipping. She has a heart of Gold.
     My youngest son Will is coming home for a visit and I am excited, It seems like forever since we were last together. Next week should be great, we will probably argue and stuff like we used to, but love will win out every time. I wish I could take him to a Giants game, but I won't have the money this time around. We can watch one together on TV. That means no fresh chowder, Johnny Rockets or Soup Nazi, but that's ok too.
     I have started playing my guitar in church again and it feels good. I love the people, my pastor & his wife are so dear to my heart I can't express that well enough. Does being in church fill you with Joy ? It should! If not you have a problem or you are in the wrong place. My wife is an alternate piano player, sometimes Tim has to work at service times, and she plays in his stead. We strive to please God so he will cover our service with his Holy Spirit.
     The times we are living in are so crazy, there is a movement to eliminate Christianity, and at the same time a push to cater to Islam. separating church & state is the excuse they give, but they are allowing full access to muslims. The King of England decided what everyone would believe. freedom to worship God was the separation. not the elimination of Christianity. The New Testament was quoted by all of the founding fathers many times over using it as a base for moral behavior, fair judgement, and the foundation of our government.
     I hope you all understand my beliefs, and consider. I will try to post much sooner next time.
This is Tim our piano player, I have known him since he was a baby, he is now a husband a father to 2 sons & a servant filled with the Holy Spirit. I am so proud of him.

Music and Life: New EP, Press and I am still me ....

Music and Life: New EP, Press and I am still me ....: So much has happened lately.. however, I think I always say that here - because I always forget to blog!  Anyhow, I have released a...

The Empty Nest Syndrome

     The time has come, my youngest son is leaving. He is beginning a new life in Aurora ILL. And this coming week we will say our goodbyes. I will miss him and worry about him and wonder when I will  ever see him again (my eyes are tearing up) it is hard even though we have gotten on each others nerves, and disappointed one another at times I still remember the child's eyes that looked up to me like I had all of the answers and the world at my feet.
     If only that belief in Daddy could have lasted a lifetime, but the day came when I could hold on to that status no longer. He came home from school one day and said, "Mom, could you help me with my homework" and she said,"I'm cooking dinner, ask your father" and he replied, "I'm not asking him anything, all of his information is old and out of date" That dart shot into me like a fire arrow. But there was a plus side I didn't have to do anymore homework.
     My oldest son Sam lives here in town, but doesn't bring our grandson over near as often as we would like. (all of you grandma's and grandpa's know) But it is in the Bible that this is the way of our species, so be it! It's depressing at times, but, So Be It! My youngest said he will set me up with Skype before he goes, so we can talk, no telling what he will say once he realizes he is out of my reach ;^)

     Please pray for him and for me I know it will be a difficult transition for me. Love is so powerful, sometimes the joy is so great it can't be explained and sometimes it hurts so much that you don't think you will survive it, and everywhere in between. God is so good to his children.