Gone, but never forgotten.
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009[
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Charlie's Angel Now With the Angels
Sending prayers and sympathy to the family and fans of the iconic Farah Fawcett. Ms. Fawcett passed away today in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 62. Farah Fawcett had battled cancer. She put up a good fight and is now at peace.
Her face was so emblazoned in our minds that we felt that we knew her personally.
Rest In Peace.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I Feel "Berry" Blessed To Have Such Wonderful Family
My brother-in-law, Nate, got me this beautiful cake for my birthday. Never mind which birthday it was - that's not important. What is important, is that we realize how blessed we are when we have good family. He is the brother I never had and he's always there for me. If I haven't told you lately, I appreciate you!
He's not only smart and creative with an entrepreneurial spirit - he's also one of the nicest people on the planet. And he grows a mighty fine garden, too!
Thanks, Bro - you made my day!
Love,
Mocha Dot
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Give and Give Freely
Giving doesn't have to mean giving of money or something tangible. It can be the gift of time, a kind word, your talents to a project. Whatever you give, give it freely and without regret.
In the words of Martin Luther:
"The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious."
Give someone something today that is truly free - a warm smile
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Secret (Anonymously Submitted)
The Secret
One day, one friend asked another,
"How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down."
With her eyes smiling, she said,
"I know the Secret!"
"What secret is that?"
To which she replied,
"I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others."
"The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."
The questioner's first thought was,
"That's too simple!"
But upon reflecting over his own life
he recalled how he thought a bigger house
would make him happy, but it didn't!
He thought a better paying job
would make him happy, but it hadn't.
When did he realize his greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with his grandchildren,
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
a simple gift from God.
Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?
YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it's not really a secret...
We just have to believe it and do it...
Really trust God!
One day, one friend asked another,
"How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down."
With her eyes smiling, she said,
"I know the Secret!"
"What secret is that?"
To which she replied,
"I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others."
"The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."
The questioner's first thought was,
"That's too simple!"
But upon reflecting over his own life
he recalled how he thought a bigger house
would make him happy, but it didn't!
He thought a better paying job
would make him happy, but it hadn't.
When did he realize his greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with his grandchildren,
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
a simple gift from God.
Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?
YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it's not really a secret...
We just have to believe it and do it...
Really trust God!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
To All My "Sister-Friends" (author unknown)
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break. Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.
BUT....... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself,
the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with
open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in
and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Mother-in-Laws, Grandmothers, aunties,
nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we
began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible
joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.
Love,
Dot
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break. Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.
BUT....... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself,
the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with
open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in
and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Mother-in-Laws, Grandmothers, aunties,
nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we
began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible
joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.
Love,
Dot
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Turbulent Times (by Pastor Ray Dare)
What To Do In Turbulent Times
by Pastor Ray Dare
Everybody has difficulty in life. Trouble is a part of life. You will have difficulties. Few people faced the difficulties that Paul did in life. Yet he learned to grow through his problems. 2 Corinthians 6:4 says, "In everything we do we show that we are God's servants, by enduring troubles, hardships and difficulties with great patience." You show what kind of Christian you are by the way you respond to problems. If you cop out, complain, gripe and run from difficulty, you're not a very mature person either spiritually or emotionally. But if you learn from difficulty, you just keep growing and growing.
What do you do when you face difficulties in life? Romans 5:3-4 says, "We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know ... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time..." The result? God wants you to learn something. That's the whole purpose for the problems and difficulties you're facing. Every storm is a school. Every trial is a teacher. God wants to teach you through your troubles. Every difficulty is for your development.
Most of us are slow learners. Most of us have had to learn something more than once. If you don't learn something, God will bring it again in your life. It will come back. See, when you go through situations in life, those difficult times, what happens to you is not nearly as important as what happens in you.
You're going to be hurt many times in life because life is not fair. It just isn't. People are going to disappoint you. You will have problems, difficulties and hurts that will make you bitter or better. You will either grow up or give up. You'll either become what God wants you to be or you will shrivel and your heart will become cold and hard. It's your choice.
Some of you are facing some major problems right now and you're getting discouraged. Everything seems to be going wrong. The bad things seem to be outweighing the good things in your life right now. God wants to say to you, "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (Living)
Psalms 4:1 says, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness, you have enlarged me when I was in distress..." I want to call your attention to that phrase: "you have enlarged me when I was in distress." In your difficult times, in the storms of life, when things aren't going good, that's when God enlarges you. He can enlarge your vision, and He can enlarge your confidence, your strength and your commitment to Him.
Turbulent times are no time to blame God, whine, cry, say, "Why me, God?" and get bitter. It's no time for that. It's time to get better. It's time to be more devoted to God; to turn your attention toward God. Many times the struggle is what gives us strength. In your struggle, in your difficulty, don't run away from God. Use your adversity as a stepping stone to get you closer into God. Realize that God is taking you to a whole new level in your Christian walk; to a whole new area in your ministry. Turn your attention toward God.
Pastor Ray
by Pastor Ray Dare
Everybody has difficulty in life. Trouble is a part of life. You will have difficulties. Few people faced the difficulties that Paul did in life. Yet he learned to grow through his problems. 2 Corinthians 6:4 says, "In everything we do we show that we are God's servants, by enduring troubles, hardships and difficulties with great patience." You show what kind of Christian you are by the way you respond to problems. If you cop out, complain, gripe and run from difficulty, you're not a very mature person either spiritually or emotionally. But if you learn from difficulty, you just keep growing and growing.
What do you do when you face difficulties in life? Romans 5:3-4 says, "We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know ... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time..." The result? God wants you to learn something. That's the whole purpose for the problems and difficulties you're facing. Every storm is a school. Every trial is a teacher. God wants to teach you through your troubles. Every difficulty is for your development.
Most of us are slow learners. Most of us have had to learn something more than once. If you don't learn something, God will bring it again in your life. It will come back. See, when you go through situations in life, those difficult times, what happens to you is not nearly as important as what happens in you.
You're going to be hurt many times in life because life is not fair. It just isn't. People are going to disappoint you. You will have problems, difficulties and hurts that will make you bitter or better. You will either grow up or give up. You'll either become what God wants you to be or you will shrivel and your heart will become cold and hard. It's your choice.
Some of you are facing some major problems right now and you're getting discouraged. Everything seems to be going wrong. The bad things seem to be outweighing the good things in your life right now. God wants to say to you, "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (Living)
Psalms 4:1 says, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness, you have enlarged me when I was in distress..." I want to call your attention to that phrase: "you have enlarged me when I was in distress." In your difficult times, in the storms of life, when things aren't going good, that's when God enlarges you. He can enlarge your vision, and He can enlarge your confidence, your strength and your commitment to Him.
Turbulent times are no time to blame God, whine, cry, say, "Why me, God?" and get bitter. It's no time for that. It's time to get better. It's time to be more devoted to God; to turn your attention toward God. Many times the struggle is what gives us strength. In your struggle, in your difficulty, don't run away from God. Use your adversity as a stepping stone to get you closer into God. Realize that God is taking you to a whole new level in your Christian walk; to a whole new area in your ministry. Turn your attention toward God.
Pastor Ray
Friday, March 06, 2009
Let Us Be Grateful
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
Marcel Proust
Marcel Proust
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Church Bulletin Bloopers (Author Anonymous)
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.'
The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin..
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church
basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.'
The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin..
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church
basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
Friday, February 06, 2009
Early Valentine - Thanks, Aunt Lynette
For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."
John 3:16
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."
John 3:16
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Jennifer Hudson Blew The Roof Off The Super Bowl!
Way to go. God Bless you, Jennifer. Her performance was so emotional. She has been through such a devastating loss - mother, brother and nephew - GOD is GOOD ALL THE TIME.
At first, she seemed a little unsure as to whether or not she was ready but once she opened her mouth, the Lord took over.
You go, girl!
Sending much love and prayers to Ms. Hudson. The girl's got talent!!
Monday, January 26, 2009
House Cleaning for 2009 (Author Unknown)
Last Week I threw out worrying, it was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me; I couldn't do things God's way.
I threw out a book on MY PAST
(Didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with NEW GOALS, started reading it today.
I threw out hate and bad memories,
(Remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too, threw out the one from long ago.
Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
WOW, you should've seen the dust.
I ran across an OLD FRIEND, I hadn't talked to in a while.
His name is GOD the Father, and I really like His style.
He helped me to do some cleaning and added some things Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE, FAITH and LOVE,
Yes... I placed them right on the shelf.
I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT- it’s called PEACE. Nothing gets me down anymore.
Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn't any space.
It's good to do a little house cleaning,
Get rid of the things on the shelf.
It sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
It kept me from being me; I couldn't do things God's way.
I threw out a book on MY PAST
(Didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with NEW GOALS, started reading it today.
I threw out hate and bad memories,
(Remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too, threw out the one from long ago.
Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
WOW, you should've seen the dust.
I ran across an OLD FRIEND, I hadn't talked to in a while.
His name is GOD the Father, and I really like His style.
He helped me to do some cleaning and added some things Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE, FAITH and LOVE,
Yes... I placed them right on the shelf.
I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT- it’s called PEACE. Nothing gets me down anymore.
Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn't any space.
It's good to do a little house cleaning,
Get rid of the things on the shelf.
It sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
God Bless Our President
May the Lord watch over, guide and protect President Obama and his family.
God is good. All the time.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Encouraging Words From New Community Church, Antelope, CA
Why Is This Happening To Me?
by Pastor Ray Dare (copyrighted)
Once you become a believer, God uses everything that happens in your life. God doesn't cause everything, but God will use everything that happens to you to help grow you. "For those who love God everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. For God...chose us to bear the family likeness of his Son...." Romans 8:28-29 (Ph). One of the most common ways God grows you is through problems.
How do you know if you are growing spiritually? You learn to trust God through a problem. You trust God in spite of the circumstances. You don't demand explanations because there are some things that we will never understand on this side of eternity. In the Bible, there's a book called Job. It's all about one thing: Will a person continue to trust God if he loses everything; If everything goes wrong in his life? Job's answer was a resounding, "Yes!". But allow me to make this personal - would you? Would you continue to trust God if everything went wrong in your life?
There's a story in the Bible about the disciples of Christ going through a terrible storm. After Jesus calmed the stormed He turned to His disciples and asked, "Don't you have faith in me yet?" The fact is, you will go through some storms in life. You're going to lose loved ones. You may lose a job, your marriage, your health. But will you continue to trust God in spite of the circumstances?
That's what spiritual maturity and faith really are: Facing the facts without getting discouraged by them. Faith is not the absence of problems or pretending that everything's great, when it's not. Faith is facing the facts without losing your confidence in God. This is the ultimate test of spiritual maturity. It is the point of surrender - you give up control. Part of that trust is realizing the fact that God doesn't always deliver you from the problems of life, but He always has a greater plan beyond them.
God has a purpose behind every problem. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17 He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, God depends on circumstances to mold us into Christ-likeness even more than the Bible, because we experience them 24 hours a day. Even if you read your Bible an hour a day, it would still leave 23 hours of circumstances for God to use.
Life is a school and problems are the curriculum. Every time you solve one problem, another one is waiting to take its place. Not all of them are big, but all are significant in God's growth process for you. If you are facing trouble right now don't ask, "Why?" ask "What?" Not "Why me?" Instead ask, "What do you want me to learn?" Then trust God and keep on doing what's right. Never give up - but allow God to grow you up!
Pastor Ray
Copyright Protected
by Pastor Ray Dare (copyrighted)
Once you become a believer, God uses everything that happens in your life. God doesn't cause everything, but God will use everything that happens to you to help grow you. "For those who love God everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. For God...chose us to bear the family likeness of his Son...." Romans 8:28-29 (Ph). One of the most common ways God grows you is through problems.
How do you know if you are growing spiritually? You learn to trust God through a problem. You trust God in spite of the circumstances. You don't demand explanations because there are some things that we will never understand on this side of eternity. In the Bible, there's a book called Job. It's all about one thing: Will a person continue to trust God if he loses everything; If everything goes wrong in his life? Job's answer was a resounding, "Yes!". But allow me to make this personal - would you? Would you continue to trust God if everything went wrong in your life?
There's a story in the Bible about the disciples of Christ going through a terrible storm. After Jesus calmed the stormed He turned to His disciples and asked, "Don't you have faith in me yet?" The fact is, you will go through some storms in life. You're going to lose loved ones. You may lose a job, your marriage, your health. But will you continue to trust God in spite of the circumstances?
That's what spiritual maturity and faith really are: Facing the facts without getting discouraged by them. Faith is not the absence of problems or pretending that everything's great, when it's not. Faith is facing the facts without losing your confidence in God. This is the ultimate test of spiritual maturity. It is the point of surrender - you give up control. Part of that trust is realizing the fact that God doesn't always deliver you from the problems of life, but He always has a greater plan beyond them.
God has a purpose behind every problem. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17 He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, God depends on circumstances to mold us into Christ-likeness even more than the Bible, because we experience them 24 hours a day. Even if you read your Bible an hour a day, it would still leave 23 hours of circumstances for God to use.
Life is a school and problems are the curriculum. Every time you solve one problem, another one is waiting to take its place. Not all of them are big, but all are significant in God's growth process for you. If you are facing trouble right now don't ask, "Why?" ask "What?" Not "Why me?" Instead ask, "What do you want me to learn?" Then trust God and keep on doing what's right. Never give up - but allow God to grow you up!
Pastor Ray
Copyright Protected
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Mornings Just Got Better
My nephew and his wife got me this cool new espresso maker for Christmas. Once I learn how to make the perfect cup, I'm inviting everyone over for a morning coffee break :)
Monday, January 05, 2009
God Heals, Prayer Works
Hello, friends and family:
Today is Day Six after my surgery.
I am mending slowly and grateful for your prayers, cards, flowers, well-wishes and warm thoughts.
Will write more later as my strength builds.
Love and God's Blessings,
Dot
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