GODventureZ -- LIFE! through Pictures

Saturday, August 31, 2013

TUVUNUNU Green Pastures and Still Waters

Tuvununu Lodge -- less than a 10-minute walk from Naselesele Village (Taveuni, Fiji)...

Noni fruit -- almost daily, very early in the morning, Soko would gather fallen noni -- for his wife, Waqa, to be made into noni juice.

Waqa and Soko -- almost 60 years married -- who lived out their CHRISTianity as a lifestyle, not a religion.

Sun-ripened bananas -- ready to be savored as we enjoyed the gorgeous view from the veranda...

GOD's gift for the early riser...

Soko's desk -- a snippet of life in a picture...

GOD's Promise -- I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth...the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:13, 15b)

Biu, from Qamea, comfortable on her leafy perch -- picking my favorite food: mango fruit.

Kids from Naselesele Village and Qamea -- enjoying Waqa's kindness and generous hospitality...

Biu, Nita and Mereone -- having fun with Daisy's newest family members...

Waqa and kidZ -- during our early morning devotion.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Mereone "Mr Bean" -- full of smiles and funny faces...

Daisy trying to be patient as her teething babies drank her milk...

Ropate -- Class 5 at Naselesele Primary -- enjoying this pup's company...

Biu's chosen favorite -- "Dipstick"...

This little one checkin' out rLn...

Kasanita's artistry -- for Waqa's birthday celebration...

Waqa's very delicious chocolate cake -- from the Matei Bakery.

Waqa Osborne -- Soko's wonderFUL wife and sister In CHRIST...
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)

The LORD JESUS is our Good Shepherd -- our Jehovah Jireh. In CHRIST, we have all we need -- we lack NOthing. He makes us to lie down in green pastures and He leads us beside still waters. He restores our souls. He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Though we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we will fear no evil for You are with us. You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. You anoint our heads with oil. Our cups overflow. Surely goodness and mercy and grace shall follow us all the days of our lives. And we will dwell in Your house, O LORD JESUS, forever and evermore! Amen.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

CORONADO Bike Ride -- A GODventureZ!

From 13th Street, Imperial Beach...

Bayshore Bikeway to Coronado -- for bicyclists, joggers, strollers, rollerbladers, dog-walkers...

Spring time in the South Bay!

Wetlands -- dressed in Easter colors...

Perfect weather, perfect vistas, perfect gift-of-a-day!

My child, never forget the things i have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
(Proverbs 3:1-2)

Silver Strand State Beach grounds -- bayside...

Sailing course...

Fishing at the marina -- patiently waiting for the BIG one to bite...

Rest stop -- breathing in the views...

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven... (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The path less traveled..

rLn...

But GOD forbid that i should boast except in the cross of LORD JESUS CHRIST, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and i to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

Saturday egg-citement for the City of Coronado...

Hong Kong orchids a-bloomin'...

Regal in purple...

Purples...lavenders...and a touch of gold...

Coronado golf course, of course...

After biking under the Coronado Bridge, the Holy SPIRIT caused me to see Elaine, a sister In CHRIST, sitting by herself -- meditating, enjoying the time GOD has given her...

Elaine was kind enough to sing this song...
We shared, we prayed, we talked plenty GOD-stuff!

The GODventureZ continue...

Sculpture moved about by the wind...

Heart-pleasing sight...

Babysitting his wife's "pampered babies"...

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt looses 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)

Late afternoon shadows lengthening...

This is the day the LORD has made -- we will rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)

Saturday, March 23, 2013

A Small SLICE of TAVEUNI ISLAND Life!

Kiti and Frances' veranda, overlooking Matei Airport's runway...

New friend and sister In CHRIST Andreja, from Slovenia, who came to Naselesele to help organize the school's library...

My sisters In CHRIST -- i was invited to share this typical Fijian feast after their time of fasting!

Our long-time bus driver, Nazir, -- we like the reggae-style music he plays as we cruise from the village(s) to Naqara, or all the way to Waiyevo...

Naqara's produce market and bus stop...

Pat (of Bibi's Hideaway) posing in front of a beautiFUL mural at a dive shop owned by Americans Jim and Robin Kelly -- Nakia Resorts and Dive (this dive office is next door to Beverly's Campground).

River for swimming FUN and for doing laundry at Somosomo, just before Naqara...

Naqara town's produce market, shaded by a giant mango tree...

Beat up package from Ocean View Church -- containing WWJD wrist bands for the kidZ at Naselesele and Bucalevu schools. It was by GOD's grace alone that we finally(!) received this gift -- a kind of memorial remembrance for little Beni.

Newly weds at Wiwi Village -- bride Cathy with groom Niu, texting the good news...

Wedding presents -- bride's side...

Dalo...and chocolate cake -- perfect wedding combo!

Brother Jale in front of his house in Naqara, singing worship with the Salvation Army CHRISTian Fellowship during their "witness for JESUS" day.

Ollwyn and John (from Australia's Salvation Army CHRISTian Fellowship) with brother Jale -- and in Ollwyn's hand, the WWJD poem to share with her church in Australia.

Makaira Resort meke for Teri and Starla...

During Roberta's and Starla's birthday celebrations at Makaira...

East Gate Temple (Pentecostal Church in Naqara) -- grand opening day...

Salusalus for the VIPs...

Church members and elders, presenting gifts and prayers for East Gate Temple dedication...

Butukia home -- personal early morning Bible study in Tila's kitchen...

Momma cat with Goldie, BB and BW -- my personal "bodyguards" and rat patrol...

Passion fruits just outside the kitchen window louvres at Butukia --ripening before my very eyes as i washed dishes...

Future homemakers/chefs at Bucalevu Secondary School -- where i wrangled an invitation to sample their "simply fab" creations!

The Fijians of Indian descent entertaining the audience for Mini-Carnival Week at Bucalevu Secondary...

The Fijians of Pacific Islander descent showing off their island meke during the Mini -Carnival at Bucalevu...

Rain or shine, the meke must goes on!

PeaceFUL scenic vistas from Beverly's Campground...

Lil' William lending a helping hand to nau Tila and nei merlin...

It's very easy to do flower arrangements for Beverly's -- flowers abound just up the hill at Butukia...

Safe swimming FUN, right below the veranda at Beverly's...

Yoga with Carlota (a visiting backpacker from Germany, with her Mom) on the veranda at Beverly's...

One of my chores at Beverly's -- keeping the foot-bath fresh and flowered...

GOD's blazing artistry -- who can resist being awestruck by His majestic one-of-a-kind masterpieces?

rLn -- restFUL work...

Cooling off at her private space at Beverly's is my sister In CHRIST Shelly, from New Zealand, who helped her husband and son -- two talented chefs -- prepare the meals for the marriage seminar at Holy Cross in Waiyevo...

Assembly of GOD church in Matei, with my friends from Lagiloa singing the worship songs...

Brother Feremo -- himself an itinerant preacher of the WORD -- preparing to share a SPIRIT-led message...

Babysittin' little Junior -- Pastor Pauliasi's grandson...we ARE family!

Pastor Pauliasi -- sharing the Good News...

Some of my church family in Fiji --pastor Pauliasi and family...

More of my sisters and brothers In CHRIST...

Dearest Heavenly FATHER,
Make us worthy examples to our families and friends.
Let our words and our deeds serve as testimonies to the changes
YOU have made in our lives.
Let us praise you, FATHER, by following in the footsteps of Your SON JESUS,
and let others see CHRIST through us.
Amen.

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.