The Way, the Truth and the Life

John 14 (NKJV)  14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

These beautiful words of reassurance from our dear sweet Jesus are comforting to me as our family grieves the loss of Patrick Shea Sr, my husband’s father. We spent the last two weeks by his side during his hospice care and it was truly a humbling experience. We were fortunate to be able to say, “I love you” and hear the same from him every day. Even though his body failed him, his spirit remained strong as he was anointed by the priest for his rebirth.   

Pat had it everything anyone could ask for and lived life to the fullest. He had fame, good looks, athletic talent, a loving family and a multitude of friends. He was a faithful Irish Catholic, bigger than life, highly competitive, mighty and physically strong with a great sense of humor and with a heart of pure gold. Of course, life was not perfect and he had struggles along the way as we all do, but he had a strong resolve and took each challenge head-on. 

It is comforting to know that he has gone to our Father’s house to the place that Jesus prepared for him. I am comforted to know that he is bouncing my sweet baby boy Austin on his knee. It is comforting to know that he is reunited with his parents, friends and family members that have gone before him and celebrating his rebirth.  

Even though we feel lost without him, we know that he is at peace now with no pain, no worries, no illness and no stress.  

John 14:27 (NKJV)  ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We miss you Dad, but we will never forget!  

Patrick B. Shea  (64)

June 28, 1939 - May 23, 2013

Played for the USC Trojans 1960-61 - San Diego Chargers 1962-66

One with Nature, One with God

“The earth is the Lord’s and all it’s fullness, the world and those who dwell therein”  Psalm 24:11 NKJV

Being at one with nature has always been a great source of healing for me. I confess that in the hurriedness of life, I don’t always take time to soak in the natural works of art by God’s creation. Last week I was blessed with an opportunity to explore the small bay side village of Los Osos on the central coast of California. 

Each day was a new adventure with the wonders of nature in the ever changing climate by the bay. I had the opportunity to sit quietly watching the sunset at the waters edge and to walk in the early morning mist surrounded by grand Eucalyptus trees overseeing the beautiful estuary at Morro Bay.  I strolled among bright yellow wildflowers, through rolling grape vineyards and close to egrets, black oystercatchers, plovers, pelicans and red feathered blackbirds. I hiked Montana de Oro park through rugged lavender laced trails leading to the vast sandy beach of the Pacific ocean.

With rain, sun, clouds and rainbows the grandness of Gods creation filled me with a renewed peace and joy that comes from walking with Him and coexisting with his creation. I am humbled by the awesome wonder of his gifts of nature and my hope and trust in God is strengthened.

I am reminded that I have an opportunity to receive all of God’s gifts every single day if only, I open my eyes, my mind, my spirit and my heart to Him.

Here are some photo’s to share my experience with you.  

¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)

Rise and Shine

Many common sayings originated from the bible and have been passed down from one generation to the next. Some have changed a little over the years, but I remember hearing most of these as I was growing up.  They represent basic rules and lessons taught from our biblical leaders. 

It is amazing how the words of the bible shape culture and norms, even for the non-believers.  

This week I thought it would be fun to explore some of these phrases. How many of them do you use?  Feel free to add any that you like or comment on your favorites.  It’s a long list, but hang with me. 

“Rise and shine” - Isaiah 60:1

“At wits end” - Psalms 107:27

“The powers that be” - Romans 13:11

“As white as snow” - Isaiah 1:18 (there are actually 8 versus in the bible with this phrase)

"The way you give to others is the way that God will give to you” - Luke 6:38
     
“Do to others as you would have them do to you” - Luke 6:31

“In the twinkling of an eye” - 1 Corinthians 15:52

“Can a leopard change it’s spots?”-  Jeremiah 13:23

"Am I my brothers keeper” - Genesis 4:9

“Grab the bull by its horns” -  Exodus 29:12

“Nothing but skin and bones” - Job 19:19-20

“Never  go to sleep mad” (my mothers advice to me when I got married)  Ephesians 4:26 ⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath

“By the skin of my teeth” - Job 18:20

“The apple of my eye” -  Psalms 17:8

“As a drop in the bucket” - Isaiah 40:15

“Labor of love” - 1 Thessalonians 1:3

“See eye to eye” - Isaiah 52:8

“Patience of Job”   If you know the story of Job, you will understand this. Another saying I heard from my mother quite often.  “He has the patience of Job!”  

“Red sky at night, sailors delight” - Matthew 16:2 ² He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’

“Put your house in order” - 2 Kings 20:1

“Sign of the times” - Matthew 16:3 ³ and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.

“Turn the other cheek” - Matthew 5:39

“The love of money is at the root of all evil” - Timothy 6:10

“Like mother, like daughter” - Ezekiel 16:44

“A little bird told me” - Ecclesiastes 10:20

“Head and shoulders above the rest”  - 1 Samuel 9:2

“The salt of the earth” - Matthew 5:13

“Go the extra mile”  -  Matthew 5:41  ^"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

“Cast the first stone” - John 8

“Wash your hands of the matter”  - Matthew 27:24

"A man after his own heart” - Samuel 13:14

“Fall from grace”  - Galatians 5:4

“Put words in one’s mouth”  - 2 Samuel 14:3

“Writing is on the wall”  - Daniel 5

“Straight and narrow” - Matthew 7:14

“A wolf in sheeps' clothing”  - Matthew 7:15

“For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” -  Galatians 6:7

I wish I had a dollar for every time my mother said to me - you reap what you sow - or - you made your bed and now lie in it.  Early lessons in accountability!

“Forgive them for they know not what they do” -  Luke 23:34

“To eat, and to drink and to be merry” - Ecclesiastes 15  or "Eat, drink and be merry”

Have a blessed day.  I leave you with the words of Jesus: 

^{John 14:25-28}  “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ²⁸ You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said,‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.