GODventureZ -- LIFE! through Pictures: 2014

Sunday, December 21, 2014

A Sunday's GODventureZ with Bill Williams

Bill Williams is a real survivor -- 25 years now, living the real-life "Survivor" reality-show-drama. He's from Texas originally, but came with his family to San Diego in 1954. His mother was a preacher, as also two of his brothers, pastors of their own church.

GOD put Bill Williams in my sight, in my heart. Twice before, i saw Bill with his survival paraphernalia as we drove by. Today, yielding to the Holy SPIRIT's leading (His impressing upon my heart), i rode my bike, with CHRISTmas stuff in my backpack...not knowing what to expect, but praying for GOD's blessing hand upon this GODventureZ.

So we celebrated CHRISTmas -- with friendly conversation and chocolates...

Bill asked me what this was -- and i told him it was just a rock -- one of my "babies" -- a one-and-only, one of a kind original... And i said to Bill, "i hope that someday you will also say that JESUS is your ROCK -- the ROCK who lives in your heart!"

Bill said that he will use it as a paper weight...

Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the ROCK of our salvation! Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to Him. For the LORD is a great GOD, a great King above all gods. He holds in His hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to Him, for He made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker, for He is our GOD. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. IF ONLY you would LISTEN to His voice TOday. (Psalm 95:1-7, NLT)

We decorated his living area with this flag from The Shoppe at Rose's and i'm glad that all the passing cars will see that it's "Merry CHRISTmas" -- not "Happy Holidays"!

While i sat with Bill, a car stopped...and this elderly lady came out with two gift bags -- one for Bill and one for me! We warmly hugged each other and talked a little in Spanish (yo con mi Espanol poquito!) Carmen, whom i've never met before, had also obeyed the Holy SPIRIT's leading and blessed us with her gifts of socks and beanies and tracts. (Carmen's iglesia is Agape en CRISTO, with Pastor Jose Garcia/Pastor Miguel Garcia -- in Chula Vista.)

A person drove by, wearing a Chargers tshirt, and yelled, "LOSERS!" and i asked Bill if he got a lot of that. He answered, "Yes, but there are also others who come by with food and things that help me out." i told him that the bottom-line LOSER is satan! JESUS defeated him on the cross at Calvary...and that in ALL ways, from even before Genesis, CHRIST has been, is now, and will forever be the VICTOR!

So Bill and i had our conversation about GOD, and part of it is on youtube, "A Sunday's GODventureZ with Bill Williams." Listening to Bill tell me some of his story -- and now, having watched the video -- i don't judge. LIFE HAPPENS... and it doesn't matter how we start -- what matters is that we FINISH strong. As for me, i continue to run this race called LIFE 101 -- only by the empowering presence of the Holy SPIRIT who lives in me -- pressing on towards the prize. For me, that ultimate Prize is not heaven, but CHRIST JESUS Himself!

i don’t mean to say that i have already achieved these things or that have already reached perfection. But i press on to possess that perfection for which CHRIST JESUS first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, i have not achieved it, but i focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, i press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which GOD, through CHRIST JESUS, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14, NLT)

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Balboa Park GODventureZ!

On the trolley, with Colleen and John -- also on their way to Balboa Park for the Ocean View Church CHRISTmas Concert at the Organ Pavillion...

Men in blues -- protecting the City of San Diego...

San Diego Trolley -- in CHRISTmas red...

Yours truly...

Warped reality...

Oozing colors -- guess where?

Surfing enthusiast...

North I-5...

Matching colors...

Balboa Park's trademark bell-tower...

JESUS said, "I AM the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me." (John 14:6, MSG) i'm also a believer of the Truth...a witness for CHRIST...

This man's backpack was a "Yoda" -- from Starwars...

Highway 163 -- Downtown San Diego in the background...

Old Globe Theater -- very CHRISTmassy...

Sculpture Garden...

Sculpture Garden's pool -- also a work of art...

i was also beaming the whole time i was GODventuring at Balboa Park...

The Botanical Garden at Balboa Park -- decorated with CHRISTmas colors...

Poinsettias -- traditional reds catch the eye...

A texter a-texting...

This gentleman played lively Irish tunes -- causing donations to flow into his fiddle case...

No donation -- just a hug and a smile...

Charlotte, visiting from Luisiana -- doing her job with a beautiful smile...and a hug for me!

Timothy, my brother IN CHRIST -- we shared a few words about The WORD...

Ocean View Church Choir singing their hearts out -- and this Cutie in pink also dancing her heart out...

Balboa Park's Organ Pavillion -- hosting many CHRISTmas events...

Ocean View Church Choir on melodic display...

Thursday, October 30, 2014

GODventureZ with the SDMTS

i'm GODventuring today with my LORD --
Today with my LORD... in this world!

Destination -- Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs...

This was my first time to ride a bus again (in San Diego) in decadeS -- and GOD was SO kind to have a bus-driver trainee to answer all my questions...

"Scenic" route = many stops! At one of these stops, a Hispanic woman sat with me -- and we had a wonderFUL time chatting in Spanish...

Maria was taking the same route i was, even to the catching of another bus to get to our similar destinations!

Maria took me to her favorite La Concha bakery, located near the bus-stop where we had to change buses...

BeautiFUL Chula Vista skies -- as wispy clouds hovered overhead...

Mi amiga Maria -- muchas gracias por ayudarme... vaya con DIOS, mi amiga buena!

A teen's "super heroes" backpack...
CHRIST JESUS is my all-time, all-ways, all-mighty supernatural Hero!

Arrived safe and sound -- via a very entertaining, hour-journey on SDMTS...

Westfield Plaza Bonita... where some folks will shop 'til they drop!

SDMTS -- wheelchair-enabled buses -- and bus-driver Harold attached hooks onto the wheelchairs for safety. On the return trip, i spoke with Tony, the elderly gentleman (above photo, on the right) who was going to the Salvation Army hall for lunch...

...and Tony graciously gave me these very pretty CHRISTmas cards!

Here's the love-poem/ditty that i sang as i GODventured with my LORD...

i'm GODventuring today with my LORD,

GODventuring, GODventuring with my LORD!

i'm GODventuring today with my LORD,

Today with my LORD -- in this world!

GOD sent me Maria, my friendly Hispanic guide,

To be my amiga on this hour-long bus-ride!

May GOD bless Maria with The Heavenly Guide,

May the LORD JESUS -- with her, allways abide!

Thank You, FATHER, for this lovely GODventure,

Smiling all the while through this spontaneous adventure!

Thank You, sweet JESUS, for all these pictures,

Sweet reminders of our fun-filled GODventureZ!

Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For GOD has said, "I will never, never fail you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

GODventureZ -- Adventures with GOD

LIFE is an adventure! It's like a long (or short) corridor with many doors. Some doors are dark and ominous--while others beckon with light and warmth. Some doors seem ordinary with muted hues--while others glitter and catch the eye. Some are painted in exciting, vibrant colors--while others with Caution! Do NOT Enter! NO Trespassing! Some are transparent, while others are like mirrors reflecting your image.

Doors, doors, doors! Choices, choices, choices!

All kinds of doors--all designed to catch the imagination... all vying for attention... tempting us to look, stop, inspect closer and wonder--is this THE door that will open up to LIFE!--that abundant life everyone longs to live here on earth?

From birth to death are many doors to walk through. Which one(s) do we choose to open, that we may venture into LIFE!?

Through the choices we make, we can either venture in with GOD--walking with Him by our side, sheltered under His wing, surrendered to His wisdom...

Or we can venture in alone, GOD-less, foolishly thinking to go through each "Let's Make a Deal" door under our own finite intelligence, our own meager power.

We can choose GOD into our ventures, making them GODventureZ (LIFE!--abundant and blessed); or we can choose to go solo, without GOD, creating missed-ventures.

GODventureZ is about adventuring through life with GOD. Through these personal photographs, stories of LIFE! unfold...

my Prayer For You

i ask GOD to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your life, and i ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the LORD, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know GOD better and better. i also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to GOD's holy people, who live in the light.

(Colossians 1:9-12)

I AM The True Vine

I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the Vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from Me.

Yes, I Am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to My Father.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. When you obey Me, you remain in My love, just as I obey my Father and remain in His love.

I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.

And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.

You are My friends if you obey Me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me. You didn't choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name. I command you to love each other.

The Sermon on the Mount

GOD blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

GOD blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

GOD blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.

GOD blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.

GOD blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

GOD blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see GOD.

GOD blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of GOD.

GOD blesses those who are persecuted because they live for GOD, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

GOD blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.

Psalm 33

Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD, for it is fitting to praise Him. Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for Him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing new songs of praise to Him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.

For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and His unfailing love fills the earth.

The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.

Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of Him.

For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command.

The LORD shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.

What joy for the nation whose GOD is the LORD, whose people He has chosen for his own.

The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do.

The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory-- for all its strength, it cannot save you.

But the LORD watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only He can help us, protecting us like a shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in His holy name.

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in You alone.