Kind of expecting a nothing much, nothing special kind of birthday. You know what it’s like…as you get older and when you are single…it kind of becomes “just another day”.

But my expectations were proved incorrect when I got a call yesterday. I had taken a couple of days off from work to deal with all the things I let slide in my way to busy life. While I was cleaning away, Veronica called me to let me know that bouquet was delivered for me at work. She raved at how pretty it was…a big spring bouquet with an assortment of beautiful flowers. Then she read me the note with birthday greetings from my sister Denise…hubby Pete and the Silvestri family Alyssa, Travis and Reed.

So as soon as my house was presentable…I slipped over to work and picked up this lovely, gorgeous bouquet. And indeed…as you can see from the pictures above…Veronica accurately describe this lovely birthday surprise. My heartfelt thanks to the Silvestri family.

In the mailbox await birthday greeting my friend Margaret. Always one to let me know she loves me. She even enclosed a special note about the sweetheart of my dreams…the gentlemen whom I daily pray for.

Thanks Miss Margaret…you are always close to my heart…and in my thoughts daily!

Yesterday marked the fifth month since our beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski went home to be with the Lord. While I still miss him greatly…I find that as time has passes by…that it’s not as painful when I hear some of his old sermons.

At first…hearing a CD of Chuck’s was both comforting and painful. Comforting to know that Chuck was no longer suffering from the devastating effects of cancer…and that his body has been made whole. Comforting to know that he is now in heaven with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Also it was wonderful to have a library of great Bible teaching that Chuck had left behind.

But it was also somewhat painful. Painful when listening to the CD’s of Chuck preaching after he had gotten sick. And a bit sorrowful in knowing that until I get to heaven…I won’t hear new sermon from Chuck. But by golly since he has a head start…and has met our Lord Jesus Christ and knows first hand the Disciples and the people of the Bible…both Old Testament and New…I’m expecting one heck of a sermon. With maybe even a guest present who actually lived out that passage of scripture.

I am grateful to God for so much. I’m grateful to have witnessed God’s hand upon this man and strengthening him and enabling him to do His will and teach His word. I thank God for the example I saw before me in which a man of God…remained strong and unwavering in his faith…through the power and strength of the Lord during desperate and trying circumstances.

Seeing God work in the life of Chuck was amazing…and seeing it first hand…makes giving out God’s Word to those in need so very easy. I was able to see what a difference Jesus Christ made in the life of a man committed and obedient to God and His will for his life. So it’s exciting and I know with confidence that I am handing God’s word and I know it has and can make a difference in the lives of those in need. Be it someone who has not yet received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior…or a fellow Christian who is in need of encouragement and strengthening from God’s word…it’s wonderful to hand out those CD’s.

God has raised up our church, sustained it, comforted and enabled us each step along the way. Giving out CD’s has been made possible in part because of the commitment of the Elders at Kindred Community Church and the Obremski family…and also the tremendous work by the Audio Ministry who tirelessly to make sure CD’s have been copied, sent out and are ready for people to pick-up each Sunday.

If you are interested in availing yourself of any CD’s…please click on the link to Kindred Community Church…and take advantage of some great Bible teaching.

May God bless you and strengthen you in the coming week. May His word fill your heart and mind and enable you to walk a steady, unwavering path and bring glory to His precious name…Jesus Christ.

On Charles Stanley’s In Touch Ministries radio broadcast this last week…he was talking about God’s pathway to success. During this message Dr. Stanley talked about meditating on the Word of God.

Being that I dabbled in new age philosophy before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior…I’m a little bit leery when I hear the word meditation. But Dr. Stanley quickly laid to rest any concerns I had when it comes to Christian meditation. It’s reading God’s word and going before the Lord with an open and teachable spirit…and asking God how you should apply this passage to your life.

Below are some notes I jotted down from Dr. Stanley’s message.

Meditating on God’s Word doesn’t just mean reading through the word of God over a year. It means reading the God’s word and asking the Lord to, “Speak to my heart”.

So how might you meditate on God’s Word…just using Psalm 1:1?

Psalm 1

New International Version
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

Look at the words in the passage and say, “Lord you said walk a certain way, don’t stand with certain people, don’t walk with them, don’t stand with them, don’t sit with them. What are you saying to me Lord about my life?”

When you are meditating about the word of God…you are thinking strongly about it in light of what it’s saying about your life. What is it saying to me? What steps do you take to meditate on God’s Word?

1) Read it carefully
2) Think about it
3) Apply it to your heart
4) Ask several questions:

• Is there any sin in this passage that I am to avoid?
• Is there any truth that you want me to understand or comprehend that I have not understood before?
• Is there any promise here that I have been unwilling, or not been able in my lack of faith to believe you for, and accept as true in my own life?
• Is there some victory that I am to have in my life according to this passage of scripture?
• Is there some blessing that I am to enjoy?
• Is there some truth that I have missed?

Read the passage today, tomorrow and the next day. Take note pad in hand. Say to the Lord, “Speak to my heart and show me in this passage what you need to say to me about my life.”

One suggestion that I have that’s proved helpful in Bible Study Fellowship, is looking up a passage in several different translations. It may be phrased differently or stated in a way that helps you to understand the passage more fully. See a couple of different translations below on the same Psalm 1:1 passage.

New American Standard
1How blessed is the man who (A)does not walk in the (B)counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the (C)path of sinners,

Amplified Bible
1[a]BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

May God enrich your Bible study as you meditation on God’s Word daily.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…with those daffodils blooming…and Girl Scouts bringing those yummy cookies.

Ah yes…it’s that time again. Winter is nearing its end…and spring will soon arrive. But in the mean time…there a few things to look forward to. Top on that list is daffodil bunches from Trader Joe’s.

Now I don’t normally buy flowers for myself…and if I do…it’s the kind you get at the grocery store. Never have I ordered an arrangement from the florist…that’s what makes its special when your sweetheart sends you flowers…it’s something that just never do for yourself.

But my one exception on buying flowers for myself is when it’s almost spring time…and you can bunches of daffodils at Trader Joes for a mere .99 cents a bunch. I buy bunches and bunches of these lovely bits of sunshine all wrapped up in a daffodil. They are positively miraculous.

When you buy them…they are tight little buds…not yet opened…and not even a hint that the will open soon. But you bring them home…snip off the ends…and place in them in a special vase. Don’t take your eyes off them for long…because you will see them open before your very eyes.

I buy a bunch for home…and one to take to work…and one to take to my mom’s each week during this season. At work…they sit at my desk…and you can almost watch them open. In fact…sometimes you will hear the crinkle of the little paper-like wrapping that surrounds the bulbs.

And when you look at the bulbs as they open…the bright, beautiful color shines through…it almost seems as God had his angels capture rays of sunshine to place in each little bulb. A treat to behold.

In keeping with something special…I must give you a recommendation for an incredible TV show/video you must order if you love flowers. Huell Howser has a program on PBS called California’s Gold. A number of years ago…he broadcast a show on California’s flower fields. Huell visited three of California’s most magical places. Daffodil Hill in Amador…up near Sutter’s Mill…where over 300,000 Daffodil bulbs are scattered on the hillsides. Next…was a trip down the coast to Carlsbad Ranch…to see the Ranunculas in bloom…on a hillside across from the ocean. It is a sight to behold.

Now I’ve not been to Daffodil Hill…but if I’m ever up in northern California…you can be sure…that will be on my travel itinerary. But I have been most fortunate to go to the Ranuncula fields in Carlsbad. It’s a wonderful mixture of row after row of vibrant color from the Ranunculas in bloom. Then the sea breeze is blowing…and when the sun is shinning…you feel as if you are almost in heaven…or about as close as you can get this side of heaven. You can walk up the hillside…and get a closer look at the flowers…and take in the most magnificent ocean view. If I lived down that way…I’d have the season pass. Get my daily exercise…and fill soul with that beauty. You can be sure I will be paying a visit to Carlsbad Ranch…in just a few short weeks…to partake in its beauty. Camera will be in hand. Each year…they have an Easter sunrise service on the hillside. Now that would be lovely!

Lastly…Huell headed up the coast and inland to see the Poppy fields near Antelope Valley. The program ends with an aerial view of the fields as a helicopter flies overhead. Music befitting this view plays in the background. If this is any preview of heaven…my goodness we will never want to leave.

All three places…are a marvelous creation…bearing witness to the magnificent Creator.

So…it is with a big thumbs up I recommend you order this video. You will not be disappointed.

If you find yourself in California…in the springtime…be sure to plan a visit to these California treasures. In the mean time…don’t forget to go to Trader Joe’s…and buy yourself…those lovely little bits of sunshine called daffodils. Ah…springtime…just wonderful.

Have you every gone through one of those times…when you feel like you’re just getting slammed? Repeatedly…no let up! You feel like you’re taking your last breath…and going under.

That’s kind of what today felt like. Yet it did have moments…when the gentle form of ever-present God reached out to me. Like a soft whisper or a gentle breeze…subtle…but there, nonetheless.

When driving home tonight from Bible Study Fellowship…the thought struck me it’s Satan who uses trials and tribulations to drive us away from God. But God uses these same circumstances in our lives…to draw us to him. And for those of use who are not so quick to obey or listen…he will drive us…like a shepherd taking care of his flock. When danger or trouble is near…the shepherd is more forceful in directing the sheep where he wants them to go.

God was forcefully driving me back to him. Not that I’ve run away…but goodness knows there are many distractions competing for my time and attention.

My reaction to these adverse circumstances was not one of anger towards God…but one that wanted to retreat. To hide away…and lick my wounds. Defeated and alone. It hurts to think that no one cares…and I think sometimes I almost take for granted that God does care. Maybe because I don’t fully comprehend it…and maybe because there is not a physical or visual demonstration of his care coming directly from him.

That’s where we can be tools and instruments of God. God has created us for, and allows us to be used to demonstrate his love towards others.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Now that is something that ought to make us pause at the enormity and privilege that God has given us. That the God who created the universe would use us to reach out to others on his behalf. Wow!

It ought to also make us tremble with fear when we choose to act and go our own way. You can be certain that Satan will use that as a hurtful and destructive influence on others. Some of which are hurting, needful souls. Souls that just need a loving hand to reach out to them. We don’t know when we encounter these people…that it may be a crisis or pivotal moment in their life. Our actions toward them…how we treat them…can push them one way or the other. Compel them towards God or drive them away.

And if we are Christians…who are known as such…and have that title…when we err, when we drop the ball, when we hurt others…it brings aspersions our Lord and Savior. It’s at those times we don’t look a whole lot different than the rest of the world. And probably a little worse…you the word…hypocrites.

So as I go to bed tonight…and lay my head on the pillow I am thankful to God. Thankful that he pursued me…when I was hurting and just wanted some space…he kept walking right along side me. I thank him for the reminder on what it is to hurt so deeply…so that when I see that in the eyes of another hurting soul…I will recognize it and seek to love and reach out to them.

I’m trying God…honest! I’ll try not to forget this lesson. And when I do…I’m grateful that God…is not only a God of second chances…but thousands of chances and more. Thank you Jesus!

Three and a half years ago…when faced with the challenging of selling my mother’s home…one of the chores was going through years of accumulated memorabilia, photos, paperwork, furniture, clothing and a heck of a lot of other stuff.

One of the nice surprises was discovering that my mom had kept a few of the papers from my youth including some early art work. Among those treasures I discovered a valentine that I had made for my mom.

Not sure exactly when it would have been done? Kindergarten or first grade? We would have been living Alamosa, Colorado at that time…either in town…or out in the country. What makes it even more special to me…is that my mom kept it all these year. Considering how many times we moved…that is truly amazing.

Please check out Debra’s latest writing at As I See It Now. It’s called “So, Like, How am I doing?”.

It’s wonderful…very convicting, challenging and ultimately healing. She talks about how she reacts when offended by others.

Like Debra…I can say that I have learned over the years…it’s much better to choose not to be offended, forgive quickly…and move past the issue. Do I always succeed at that? No…but I’m getting better.

Two points I’m walking away with from Debra’s post is:

1) When offended…going to God and asking him, “God…how am I doing?”. Sometimes this can be a dangerous question…because when I erred…the Holy Spirit will let’s me know. Sometimes gently and sometimes it feels like more a whack upside the head. (Which I usually need right about then.)

2) Remember…that God give me the grace to forgive and change. He does not give me the grace to remain in unforgiveness, bitterness and anger. When I choose to remain offended, angry or bitter…it’s very draining, wearing and done entirely on my own power.

Wow…great article…please be sure to click on the link and read Debra’s article. As I See It Now…is a website I have bookmarked…and check regularly. Debra’s writings are wonderful. Always open and transparent…encouraging and feeds the soul. Also some fun and whimsy too. Thanks Debra…Atta Girl!

Today would have been my Grandmother’s 113th birthday. Grandma lived to be 93 years old…and passed way June 2, 1986…coming up on 20 years ago in just a few short months.

My Grandma and I were not very close while I was growing. For a lot of reason really…but mostly because we just had very different personalities and interests. Hurts that we each suffered in our lives may have put a barrier between us.

My Grandmother was a Christian and while she was still alive I was an unbeliever. I think that was one of the obstacles to a good relationship between us. Several years after she died…I did accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Now when thinking about Grandma…I wonder how our relationship would have been different if I had become a Christian earlier.

Anyway…Happy Birthday Grandma. I’ll see you in heaven one day. Perhaps then…we can be friends…and really get to know one another. And those flaws and limitations that hindered our relationship down here will go by the wayside. Say “Hi” to Grandpa for me.

I don’t have a lot of things from my Grandma…but do have an assortment of awesome photos. Enjoy!

It seems, as of late I’m feeling way overburdened…like I’m carrying the weight of the world around on my shoulders. With no one who will help…and no one who cares. Or least the weight of my world…from home to work, to family, friends, relationships, time…and on and on it goes.

Am I carrying burdens that God never intended for me to carry? Am I taking on burdens that aren’t mine? Am I assuming responsibility for that which only God can do?

In God’s word he tells us that his burdens are light. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30

If that is the case…could it be that burdens that I am carrying…are burdens of my own choosing…and not those which God has ordain for me?

Since they are not burdens that God has sent my way…to help me grow…is he obligated to help me? Will he help me? Yes…when I am willing to lay down those burdens. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

Since I am taking on burdens and responsibilities that aren’t mine…does that mean that I don’t trust God? That I don’t trust him to work things out? Am I trying to do his job? Or is it that I don’t think that he will work them out according to what I desire, or in my timing? Not trusting God, why?

Do I believe the lies of our enemy…the adversary? I am listening to what he tells me about who God is and what he is like? Didn’t Satan pull the old trick…going all the way back to Adam and Eve? When I read the Bible…it’s so plain to see Satan’s schemes in the lives of others. I can even see the lies and deception in the lives of people I know today. Why am I so blind to it in my own life? What can I do to protect myself?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:10-12

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” – Psalm 68:19

One of my favorite places to visit is the Fullerton Arboretum at Cal State Fullerton.

Hope you too enjoy…this wonderful creature from God’s creation.

I’d like to wish all members of Kindred Community Church a very Happy Birthday…as we celebrate our 3rd anniversary as a church. We have been most blessed indeed by our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

For over 2 ½ years God blessed us with our dear former Pastor, Chuck Obremski…who is celebrating this special day in heaven with his Savior…along with some of our dear former members of Kindred who are gathered together with them. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and praise to Jesus Christ who has entrusted us with the precious gift of the Word of God to share with a needy, hungry and dying world.

Kindred Community Church is a most wonderful place to be. The word of God is taught in an uncompromising manner. We are committed to teaching, learning and sharing the Word of God. You won’t find a more loving and caring group of people. In need of prayer…this is the place to be. Kindred’s Prayer Team and congregation…will be praying for you and your prayer requests. Need some reinforcement for the week ahead…visit the Audio Ministry and equip yourself with God’s word. Feel the need to loose yourself in praise and worship to your Savior…Kindred’s Praise & Worship Team and Choir…will help lead the way.

If you live in the Southern California area…or are visiting…we’d love to see you. Click on the link for Kindred Community Church…to find out about us, where we are at and be sure to avail yourself of the great online resources. Hope to see you there…very soon!

May God bless you the coming week. May you be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might…as you stay rooted and grounded in the immovable, unchanging Word of God. God Bless!