Emmy Award Winner Barbara Rodgers Retires from KPIX TV

Here's wishing all of God's bountiful blessings upon Barbara Rodgers as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. Today marks her last newscast at KPIX-TV in San Francisco, the place she has called her "career home" since 1979. During her illustrious career, she has interviewed everyone from Nelson Mandela to Carol Channing (pictured here). Can you say, "Been there, Done that?"
We can't wait to see where Barbara will turn up next, but one thing is for sure - we have not seen the last of Ms. Rodgers.

This is only the beginning.

We love you, Ms. B!

Happy Birthday to Arvia, the "Queen of Gumbo"

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday. Not only is she a great mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend - she makes ONE BAD POT OF GUMBO.

So, here's to you Mom - may God continue to bless and keep you. I pray for your health and happiness.

So, "Shawty," pop your collar and do your "thang!" It's your birthday, girlie!

May Day by Sarah Teasdale

May Day
Sarah Teasdale

A delicate fabric of bird song
Floats in the air,
The smell of wet wild earth
Is everywhere.

Red small leaves of the maple
Are clenched like a hand,
Like girls at their first communion
The pear trees stand.

Oh I must pass nothing by
Without loving it much,
The raindrop try with my lips,
The grass with my touch;

For how can I be sure
I shall see again
The world on the first of May
Shining after the rain?

What On God's Green Earth?

Nate's gone green! Or maybe I should say Nate is growing greens, lettuce and flowers all in one! Nothing says "Thank You, Lord," like sowing your own seeds in order to reap a bountiful harvest.

God Bless Nate and his garden!

Peace and Blessings,
Dot

E-Mail Devotionals (submitted anonymously)

Again, I was reading one of my e-mailed devotionals. Every day I am challenged with getting to know God better. There are days when I like him so much, I can't explain it. There are days when I love him unconditionally and want to cuddle up and never leave. There are days when I am in awe of him. I took a walk the other day and noticed some of the most beautiful flowers, plants, and trees. There are days when I am so grateful, I want to stand up in my cube and dance to Yolanda Adams' Victory. There are days when I am giddy and can't contain myself. There are days when I've allowed the enemy to steal my joy and can't seem to break free of it. There are days when I am outright mad and pouting like a child. My behavior reflects sinful desires and an "I don’t care attitude." Then there are days when I stumble on something that makes me think or remember, or touches my heart and spirit- God is good like that. In my devotion, I read these words…"Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God's generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy or do you doubt His provision?" He may seem slow at responding, but He's always right on time. While it would be nice if God owned the same watch as we do, you and I can always count on His perfect timing." Then I feel like I have been foolish.



The last three years have not been easy for me. I've suffered much loss but last year, I told the Lord that I could no longer progress as I had been. I wanted him to control my life. I wanted him to help me make decisions. I wanted him to guide me. I wanted him in my family. I wanted a Godly life and family. I have cried along the way this year, "Lord, change me, fix me, purify me, transform me, help me." I keep going back to the end of last year because he moved mightily but not as I thought he should, but he knows what he is doing- he is God. Don’t we always have it all figured out? God move, but move like this…I have learned some valuable lessons this year about trust, worship, praise, love, peace, rest, Godly counsel, prayer, thanksgiving, blessings, provision, OBEDIENCE, sin and consequences, being sustained, TRUST again and again, and again. I heard someone pray, "Lord move until you've moved me out and you in…" I prayed that prayer too. He is moving and working but am I expecting his generous hand at work in my life? Am I waiting with expectancy for his provision? Or am I doubting because he is not doing it my way? Am I seeking his perfect timing or what I think is perfect? I have to admit that I am not doing as I should. He is my loving father and I spend a great deal of time trying to make it right on my own.



Yes, I want to be all God says that I am and should be but I am no different from anyone else when it comes to having it done my way, in my timing, according to my plan. I know however that God's plan is best. I've seen him work all around me. I know, I know, I know. So what is the problem? If I truly want it done right, it must be God's way! Friends mean well, but rarely when you talk to them do they offer to pray, or even seek Godly counsel. They just jump in with their opinions and responses and before you know it, you've interfered with the Lord's plan and he has to readjust again prior to the blessing. Where is our expectancy of God's greatness in our lives? If we could just remember that he is an on-time God and will move in his perfect timing, what a difference life would be. Lord, move as you should and allow me to wait patiently for your perfect timing. "Lord move until you've moved me out and you in…"

One Glass of Milk (Anonymous)

Not sure if the following story is true, but it's nice anyway. Have a great Friday!

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the n ext house. However, he lost his nerve w hen a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, 'How much do I owe you?'

'You don't owe me anything,' she replied. 'Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.'

He said ... 'Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart.'

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit...

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultati on. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went d own the hall of the hospital to her room .

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ... 'Paid in full with one glass of milk'

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: 'Thank You God, that Your love h as spread broad through human hearts and hands.'

There's a saying which goes something like this:


Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place -


And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?!

So, Maybe the World Is Not Going to "You Know Where" in a Hand Basket

Sandee Lyall, of San Ramon, CA (an independent Longaberger distributor) donated this lovely creation to the Silent Auction portion of Public Advocates' Anniversary Gala to be held in San Francisco on May 29, 2008.

Public Advocates does great work and provides legal services to those who could not afford representation.

Thanks, Sandee and God Bless You.

Prayer Request for Senator Ted Kennedy and Family

News agencies are reporting that Senator Kennedy has a brain tumor which was discovered after he suffered two seizures over the weekend.

Please lift the Kennedy family and friends up in prayer.

Dreams (Submitted Anonymously)

Dreams (Anonymous Submission)

I received a wonderful reminder of information from a friend of mine who is able to interpret dreams. She knows that I am struggling right now and have been fretting. I have been trying to work out my trust and anger issues. Yes, it is true that faith is easy when things are in order and going as we'd like, but when we feel like our lives are out of control, prisons, or living hells, we freak out. This is a excerpt from a woman named Victoria Bryson, with a little commentary from me, that I believe expresses what we experience and what we can expect when we are struggling. It reminded me of the time my now 7 year old fell and broke her collar bone. We had no idea what was wrong. She could not get comfortable and everything was still moving so we did not sense there were any broken bones. That evening, I got her out of her bed and took down to the coach in hopes of easing her pain and crying. I laid her on top of me and she was able to find a perfect spot. She stopped crying and slept. I of course did not sleep but she rested perfectly. That morning we took her and learned of her broken collar bone. She found her rest in (on) me. I have been reminded time and time again that I must find my rest in the Lord. It is not easy for me with all that is piling up, but I am trying. There are days even nights when I can't shut my brain off. I am searching for answers, change, and beating myself up for ending up in my predicament. I believe the Lord warned me but I did not listen. He has forgiven me but I cannot seem to forgive myself. And my sin of disobedience is right in front of me.



"…Zechariah 9:12 gives us the answer we are looking for. Why are we going through what we are going through? It says, 'Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.' God says, 'Even now I announce to you that not only will I restore to you all that has been taken from you, but I will give you double for all the trouble you have endured.' He says, 'Don't stop now...keep trusting Me, because I can see your future and it is very blessed. Keep walking with Me and keep trusting in Me and I will give you rest.'



'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). When we have learned to 'rest' in God in the midst of our storm, God is mightily blessed. Because it proves to Him that we trust in His goodness no matter what our circumstances are.
It pleases Him very much when we trust in Him, and when He is pleased He will burst forth blessings from Heaven. He just cannot help Himself, He loves to bless those who trust in His goodness. He, as He did for Israel in Zechariah 9:12, will stand up and announce to all that He is proud of you and intends to restore double to you for your continued trust in Him through all you have endured."



The devotion or inspirational writing also spoke of staying in the fortress until the Lord releases us. We may think of our fortress as a prison because we are not moving as we would like but it might actually be our place of protection. I know I have cried out, screamed out to the Lord that I have felt as if I were dying, yes I have even gone so far as to exclaim that I feel as if I am already in a coffin. I have thought about physical death and how much more comforting it might be. He has not taken me away, so apparently that is not his plan right now. I must go back a reassess and try to learn of his ways and perfect plan. One of his promises is to protect us, not smother us. This journey has been unbelievable for me, but I am still on the path inching forward. I want to be ready when the Lord opens the floodgates, I want to be ready. I must remember I told the Lord that I could not go on as I was and would not go into 2008 the same. He started moving on December 31, 2007, wow, what a whirlwind.

God Loves Pigeons Too

This morning I was standing on the train platform and just as I opened my newspaper, I looked down on the tracks and saw a dead pigeon. Now, I have never been fond of pigeons and never really thought they served much purpose other than to spread germs and ruin picnics.

However, the expression on this pigeon's face made me wonder what the pigeon must have been thinking before he was hit. Could he have committed suicide? I doubt it. But then, the weather has been about 100 degrees and he could have had a moment of hysteria or maybe a heat stroke.

In any case, instead of just thinking "who cares, a dumb pigeon is dead?," I thought, "Wow, you know, God loves pigeons too."

Isn't God's love amazing?

Stay cool.

Dot

Rest In Peace, Sweet Judith Moore

I can't believe that it's been two years today since you left us. I feel your presence all around me - in the things I say, the things I do and most especially in the things I read. . .there are so many new books that I wish you could review. There are so many things that I don't know because I can't ask and you can't answer my questions. I miss your incredible intellect, your quiet spirit and your huge heart.

Gone but never forgotten.

Love,
Dorothy

God Bless Simone

My daughter, Simone, was confirmed on April 29, 2008. May the Lord Bless and Keep Her. Her grandmother was her sponsor.

Bonita and Coco

Just dropped in to say "Good Morning," and "Have a Blessed Day."

Thanks, Rhonda. These babies are precious.

Prayer Request for the Berkman Family

I just learned late last night, that a former co-worker's daughter, thirty-something, mother of two young children, died from complications of the flu.

Please keep the family in prayer.

This is a reminder to all of us, that we only have today. Remember, to let your friends and family know how much they mean to you.

Love,
Dot

He Is Risen

Happy Easter to All.

Dot

Yes, my struggle is real! Trials, Temptations, and Tests

I asked several friends what the difference was between trials, tests, and temptations. Some people called, others caught me walking in the hall at work, but my Sunday School teacher took the time to thoroughly explain. I hope this will help someone…

Temptation, Trials and Testing all go hand in hand. There can be no temptation without a test or a trial. Testing is for us and the proof of our knowledge of the word. What we have learned and how we apply it to our life. Temptation (a testing), generally understood as the enticement of a person to sin by offering some seeming advantage. The source of our temptation is Satan, the world, and the flesh. Read James 1:14-15

Trials are the testing of our character, it's also a temptation or an adversity, the enduring of which proves the merit of an individual's faith. Adversity puts a Christian's faith to the test, either true or false. Understand, a test of faith brings patience or stamina by suffering or temptation.

Temptation has two meanings: 1. solicitation (entice) to sin and 2. trials from providential (future) situations.

Also read: Matt. 6:13 (preventative request), the servant request for prayer in dealing with sin. As the servant grows in purity and obedience, they should rely less on prayer for forgiveness and pray more for protection. Lessons learned should help avoid the traps of temptations.



Mark 14:38 - the formula for conquering temptation is to stay alert and pray. No matter how willing we are to do the right thing our flesh is weak.


Luke 8:13 - pleasure seeking overcomes eternal pursuit. No time for God's word, they don't mature in God.

A Different Look At Job (Anonymously Submitted)

A different look at Job…



When God is kind enough to reveal to us, we should be grateful. We should know, however, all that he reveals is not pretty (or as we may wish) but it is always beneficial.



I have always thought about Job as the man the Lord allowed to be tormented by Satan. I have wondered if he did the same thing to me. Perhaps my words are harsh and my outlook has been skewed. In learning about myself and learning about how, in some ways, I was like Job, I was reminded:

· God can't agree with a lot of the "stuff" we do - he is righteous and we are not

· We, us, me, you break fellowship with God

· God never breaks fellowship with us, even though it may feel as if he has



I have long misunderstood the difference between covenants and contracts. God had covenants with various people in Biblical days and covenants are not meant to be broken- a covenant is a promise. Promises from God are never broken. We always want to promise something, but we are unable to keep our promise to HIM. He does not require of us a promise, we just go running out there to do it. He loves us unconditionally, but we don't get it. For example, God had a covenant with Abraham. Remember, he promised him a son. Even though Abraham could not keep his end of the bargain (waivered in faith), God kept his covenant and blessed Abraham in spite of what he did (baby's momma and baby). Now Abraham broke the covenant and as a result there were consequences for his sin.



Contracts on the other hand can be broken. Okay, so here is what I learned about Job. God had a covenant with Job. We don't really know the details, but the Lord blessed Job tremendously. He made promises to him and kept them. Job walked uprightly before the Lord, but Job's heart was not always right. Job thought the Lord did a raw deal to him, we all did. We all get there, don't we? I know I've felt that way often especially about a decision I (Me, myself) made because it did not work out. I've broken covenants and well, consequences have followed.



We learn, if we really read about Job that he was angry about those who he deemed unrighteous and their lack of punishment. Now if that does not sound like me, what does? I have lived in that space for many years. I watched a man receive countless blessings from the Lord and I deemed him unworthy because he did not even acknowledge the Lord or thank him for all the tremendous blessings I thought he did not deserve. Job and I have a lot in common. When every old covenant was broken, curses were released. Who am I do deem someone else unworthy of what God has for them?



Towards the end of the chapters in Job, we learn that he does repent. Yes for his disgust or judgment of those he (Job) deemed unrighteous. Hallelujah Yes, I have learned about my judgment of others. I never realized how deeply rooted it was. I never meant to be so judgmental. It has permeated many aspects of my life.



But God is merciful and he does forgive. Remember, Job received many blessings in the end. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

There Is No "If"

I just returned from 5:30 p.m. mass. This is not the mass I usually attend, rather, it is the mass which is put on by the teenagers in our parish once a month. While this mass is sparsely attended, I always enjoy the homily as the priest, Father Michael, always has such pearls of wisdom.

Today, the sermon came from the book of Genesis in which the serpent is tempting Eve in the garden. The serpent says, "If you are a child of God, then what would it hurt to eat the forbidden fruit?'

Father Michael reminded us that most of the trouble we get into, or sins that we commit, are predicated upon the word, "if."

There is no 'if." We are children of God. No, 'ifs,' ands or buts about it.

Have a blessed week!

Love,

Dot

Thank God It's Monday

I always say at the end of the week, "Thank God, It's Friday." When I woke up this morning and said to myself, "Argh, it's Monday," I stopped and realized that - hey, God woke me up. I'm in my right mind (well, kinda), I'm in good health, my family is still with me and I have a place to go today."

Sometimes, we forget to thank HIM for each and every day. It's so easy to complain about what's wrong, we forget to rejoice about what is right.

Today the sun is shining. It rained all weekend. So, as I look out the window at the sun, contemplating the challenges of the week ahead, I remember to "Thank God, It's Monday!"

Love,
dot

A Birthday Prayer for Linda

God, another year is gone.
Am I any wiser? Maybe a little.
One thing I know for sure: You walked with me through every hour of every day, though I could not always feel your presence.
Thank you for what has passed, and thank you for what is to come.
Amen.

(From Hallmark "Little Book of Prayers for Busy Women" - thanks, Mercelle - I'm loving this book!!)
Mochadot