GODventuring with Little DANNY at Balboa Park

Little Danny...he was in my care for just a little while...this young stranger who became a wonderfully real person during the few hours we interacted. This i immediately discovered: He is fearless and confident; he is a very intelligent five-year old...and a very likable young fella! The GODventureZ at Balboa Park with him and the whole gang was a wonderFUL blessed treat!

HAH! What a ham! i just clicked the shutter -- Danny posed this impromptu pose by himself.

Little Danny got a Spider Man balloon from this very talented and wordy street vendor -- but pricey at $1 per balloon used in sometimes a seven-balloon creation! (He didn't much like that i put in a $1,000,000 Gospel tract in his donation bag.)

Little Danny had no qualms about clambering up this hill behind the Japanese Friendship Garden, with "big brother" Miguel as his backup.

Fearless little monkey on the monkey bars at Pepper Grove picnic area -- that's our Little Danny!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. (Psalm 127:3)

GODventuring in the South Bay -- SPRING Has Sprung!

Susana and Michael...out for a stroll -- appreciating that Spring has sprung!

This field of wildflowers is located at the foot of Via Tonga Street.

Looking down at the intersection of Coronado Avenue and Beyer Boulevard from "The Wing" -- Mexico in the the far background...

San Diego Public Library in the background at the intersection of Beyer Blvd and Coronado Avenue.

Montgomery Waller Community Park, "The Wing," and today's mode of transportation.

South Bay Drive-In...one of San Diego's last surviving outdoor theatres... since the '60's -- located on Coronado Avenue.

Utility boxes on the driveway to the Drive-In entrance...one of the more than 200 works of art the artist has done for the City of Imperial Beach -- many along Coronado Avenue, all the way to the beach.

This backyard is most likely owned by a Filipino gardener, for i saw many vegetables that are typical of Filipino gardens... and those banana trees are "signature" plants... favorites of Filipinos.

Another photo op -- this front yard caused me to get off my bike again, for the guavas looked tasty. Guava trees are no longer uncommon in San Diego, but still an unusual sight as these guava trees are more typically found in environments associated with tropical islands, not the desert-like climates of San Diego.

The estuary at the foot of 13th Street, which connects to the bike path along the Silver Strand Highway... Many thousands of birds "rest and refuel" in these waters during their migration to other breeding grounds.

Bike path towards the Swiss Park at the foot of Palomar Street (looking back towards Imperial Beach).

Mountain of salt in the far background.

JESUS said -- "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." (Matthew 5:13)

The view from the other side of the road...

Everywhere i biked...wildflowers!

This road led me to the back of Home Depot at the foot of Saturn Boulevard -- at the Southland Shopping Plaza, Imperial Beach.

Gutsy gal...this area is somewhat isolated, with high hedges in a few places -- and the occasional homeless or vagrant or weirdo. She apparently had no qualms.

This field is at the foot of Palomar Street, immediately outside Swiss Park.

What a beautiful day! Overcast at the start, then the sun showing itself behind the clouds as the morning progressed.

This day was a day of reflection... after Monday's bombing of Moscow's subway by two female suicide bombers. i wanted to see these flowers at their best -- before the summer heat browned them dry. These blooms last but a few weeks, depending on the intensity of the San Diego heat. Like the life of these flowers and the 38 lives murdered from the bombing -- life is short indeed!

A Voice said, "Shout!" i asked, "What should i shout?" "Shout that people are like the grass that dies away. Their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of flowers in a field." (Isaiah 40:6)

What, then, really matters?

The Secret of CONTENTMENT -- Philippians 4:11-13

Not that i was ever in need... (Jardin Ceres, Quebec...i was a grateful guest at this serene Canadian estate.)

...for i have learned how to get along happily whether i have much or little. (Bill and Tila gave a very warm welcome to this solo backpacker at Beverly's Campgrounds -- Taveuni, Fiji.)

i have learned in whatever state i am, to be content. (Bibi's Hideaway, where true Fijian hospitality shines through -- outdoor shower on a rainy day...singing "Singin' in the Rain," a la Gene Kelly, though not doing the dancing jig in the rain -- Matei, Taveuni; Fiji.)

i know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. (Paunzhausen, Germany...heated floors...just-made, mug-sized cappucinos -- with ultra-fresh milk from the neighbor's cows next door!)

i have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach ... (Paris, France...very pretty, but not very filling!)

...or empty... (Cuzco, Peru...sopa de lengua -- i ate my veges, but gave the humongous blue tongue, brain pieces and sheep jaw to my two orphan guides.)

...with plenty... (Connaught Hotel, London...a very stuffy and very proper kind of place -- very interesting, this hands-on experience of living as if rich for few days -- but i soon discovered it was not my preference.)

...or little. (Lagiloa farm bure -- Taveuni, Fiji...no electricity, no running water, no flushing toilet...the nearby river for bathing, washing clothes, drinking water, catching prawns...and meditating on GOD's Word.)

For i can do everything with the help of CHRIST who gives me the strength i need. (Philippians 4:11-13)

It matters not what GOD does...it matters only Who HE is. (Oswald Chambers)

And the GOD i worship is Jehovah-Rohi...the LORD is my Shepherd...CHRIST JESUS.

The LORD is my Shepherd; i have everything i need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.

Even when i walk through the dark valley of death, i will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and i will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 is my Reality today, and for every true follower of JESUS. The secret of true contentment is living the abundant life of CHRIST in the Now...rejoicing in everything...giving thanks for everything.

And that abundant life can also be yours...in CHRIST.

Precarious Balancing ACT

Rainy...wet and cold outside...stacking rocks on the windowsill in an Alaskan cabin...a precarious balancing act.

Another precarious balancing act...doin' the T'ai Chi over the gushing white waters of the Havasu falls at the Grand Canyon.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)

And a time to balance...precariously!

PERSPECTIVE -- The EIFFEL Tower -- PARIS, France

The TRUTH is TRUTH, no matter from what angle, no matter from which perspective. (i'll use my old photos of a trip to Paris to illustrate this point of view.)

The Eiffel Tower is France's most-frequented attraction (over 6 million visitors in 2006) and Le Jules Vernes is a one-star Michelin restaurant located on the Tower's second level. This is a traditional gastronomic French kitchen. The views of the city are remarkable from Le Jules Vernes, and the fare is reputed as excellent.

The Eiffel Tower, from this perspective and distance -- is plainly recognizable as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

From this closer perspective, this angle, looking up, the Eiffel Tower is definitely the one and only Eiffel Tower of Paris.

From this view point, the Tower dwarfs the tourists...the fact of its massiveness plainly shows that it's no Las Vegas imitation.

Looking up, from this closer perspective, one is able to see the intricate and seemingly delicate configurations of massive beams of steel.

And now at a much closer point of view, one can actually see the struts used -- details not discerned from the distance.

This perspective is much closer still, as it is now on a personal level. One is actually inside the world-famous icon.

On a still more personal level, the adventure of being in the Eiffel Tower deepens into an experiential level...drinking in the event literally.

And on a deeper level still, the senses of taste, touch, sight, smell, and hearing (clink of glass and silverware) make the reality of the Eiffel Tower an undeniable truth.

From this point of view, although the Eiffel Tower is not seen itself, it doesn't take away from the fact, the truth, that the viewer is inside the Tower. The person's belief system is sound, based on facts and truth that's experiential...REAL in all senses.

And here's the point -- the TRUTH that JESUS is The CHRIST, as the four different biographers stated 2,000 years ago, from four different points of view, still holds true, as it ALLways has -- JESUS is SON of GOD.

Matthew's gospel pictures CHRIST as the prophesied KING, Lion-like, the Davidic King, and David's Righteous Branch. This Gospel is prophetic and was written to the Jews.

Mark's gospel pictures CHRIST as the obedient SERVANT, Ox-like, the Servant of the LORD, GOD's Servant, the Branch. This Gospel emphasizes the practical and was written to the Romans.

Luke's gospel pictures CHRIST as the Perfect MAN, manlike, the Son of man; the Man, the Branch. This Gospel emphasizes the historical and was written to the Greeks.

John's gospel pictures CHRIST as the Mighty GOD, Eagle-like, the Word of GOD, the Branch of the LORD. This Gospel emphasizes the spiritual and was written to all the world. (Pastor John Yates, Doctrine of CHRIST, Faith Bible Institute)

JESUS CHRIST, to me -- and all believers in Him -- is as real as the Eiffel Tower. Though i don't see Him with my physical eyes, i "see" Him with the eyes of my heart. And CHRIST is not in a distant, far-off place; nor will He ever be destroyed by time or weather; nor is He cold, unbending steel. JESUS, by the indwelling Holy SPIRIT, resides within each and every one who believes in Him.

JESUS is GOD's Love manifest in the flesh -- a love so unfathomable to the selfish, finite mind of humankind. CHRIST was the One Who came into the world to die for all sinners, such as i....such as you.

REST in Peace -- WHERE?

My grandmother and grandfather (on my mother's side)...but faded memories.

My father...who lost his fight with lung cancer.

Robert -- from Naselesele Village, gone this year -- leaving Salote with six children to raise...

A grandfather from Naselesele Village...gone, too.

Parsu, Kristika's father -- Matei, Taveuni...sudden, unexpected tragedy.

Life is an adventure indeed! Whether long-lived or short-lived...it's a GODventureZ!

As for me, i don't need to travel to far-flung places anymore to experience adventure. The inner journey is far more exciting and surprising, where every moment may bring me to a new undiscovered territory from within. i have been a seeker for many years -- at first seeking exotic places to wander through or spiritual encounters to shore up the shallows of my soul. Today i seek only JESUS.

And today, i can choose to see each new day that GOD brings forth as a blessed 24-hour GODventureZ with His SPIRIT, where He leads and i follow; or i can choose to see this same day as the same old thing -- same old round-about on the treadmill of life. When i decide to see the day ahead from GOD's view point -- i am given expectant buoyancy -- ever ready to receive whatever He is wanting to show me about Himself through the circumstances and providence He allows, through the persons with which He populates my hours, through the Word His SPIRIT causes me to understand, through His palpable Presence throughout the day.

Death is but a blink away, according to GOD's will. i don't know when that last breath will be -- and i'm quite sure GOD will not clue me in...otherwise i might hold on too tight to that breath and turn blue in the process! My old flesh nature might try to fool me into thinking that the things of the world are worth hanging on to. But i know better! NO thing, NO person, NO circumstance on earth can ever compare with what awaits in Heaven!

Question: Those who've gone before me, as those pictured above -- where are they now? What is their REALITY? Where is the location of their eternal real estate?

"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? ...thanks be to GOD, who gives us the victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST." (I Corinthians 15:55, 57)

San Diego Downtown ODDities

i have a friend who likes to wear wigs...she doesn't like the Tina Turner style i gave her -- i wonder if she'll like this one?

Being invisible is part of a photographer's role...but sometimes i like being in the picture, too. (What did the Psalmist say? "Vanity of vanities...all is vanity!" (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

This is definitely NOT the usual red San Diego Trolley! i've never watched The Simpsons. The only cartoons i think cool are Pink Panther... and Mighty Mouse -- who always saved the day.
(Now that i'm a grown-up, i know Who really saves the day!)

This wig store is just a couple blocks from San Diego City College. Again, i couldn't resist adding myself in the composition.

Funny how all of humanity want to leave their mark in this world -- immortalized somehow -- hoping that maybe after they die, they'll be remembered by this or that legacy left behind. But we're all vapor...never knowing if this breath is the last. Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. (Psalm 39:5)

When i was waiting for the bus to Balboa Park (for my Botanical Garden GODventurez), i saw this artsy-fartsy looking car parked in the San Diego High School parking lot, next to the bus stop. i joined a couple tourists in taking a photo of it -- what a colorful, attention-getting distraction!

When i was a child, i spoke as a child, i understood as a child, i thought as a child; but when i became a man, i put away childish things. (I Corinthians 13:11)