Sunday Sermon and a Stunning Sunrise

“When my life is over, who will they say I was? Who will I say I was? Good question.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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A lovely Sunday morning. My Google assistant said it was on 69° at 7:30. I said “Bless you!” Siri said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t sneeze!” Just kidding. That really didn’t happen. But, I had you going for a minute, didn’t I? Actually, just now, I said, “OK Google. Bless you!” She replied, “I’m happy you’re happy.” That’s a true story.

The sunrise was stunning this morning. This photo doesn’t do it justice. The sun was actually a huge glowing red-orange globe in the misty tangerine sky.

Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus asking the disciples, “Who do people say I am?” Many thought He was a prophet. Jesus asked the disciples what they thought. Peter said He was the Christ. Jesus went on to describe how He was going to suffer, be rejected, be put to death and rise again. Peter was incredulous.

³⁴ “He called the people and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.³⁵ Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

My take on it… Well, you know me. I don’t take every word literally. To renounce yourself and take up your cross, I take to understand that we will all have crosses and hardships to bear. If we follow the teachings of Jesus, we live our lives honestly, respectfully, love God and one another, we will prevail. We don’t have to literally die to be saved. Gosh, there’d be a lot of dead people. “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it,” to me suggests if we only think about ourselves, save our own skin, be selfish and egotistical, that’s when we lose the true meaning of life. If we “lose our life for His sake and the Gospel,” suggests that we lose ourself in kindness, honesty, helping one another, and following the Gospel teachings, THEN we save our life, our eternal life. That is the true meaning of life here on earth, paving the way for eternal life.

It was a fine Sunday. I hope you had a great day too.

Friday:) From Sunrise to Sunset and More

Each time I see a beautiful sunset or sunrise, I have to pinch myself because I can’t believe that I’m awake and not dreaming.

– Anthony T. Hincks

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Friday’s are such fun days for me. I normally don’t get up early, but I offered to pick up my little furry friend, Bella and keep her for a few days while Mr. Mike is out of town. The upside is, I got to see the sunrise and morning sun. It was a beautiful day.

We took several walks during the day and enjoyed the perfect weather.

Sunset is my favorite time to walk and catch the amazing color show in the sky.

The time flew by and I hadn’t eaten all day. I was lucky that my good friend Jerry had given me a self rising supreme stuffed frozen pizza. I added a little spinach because I love spinach. Oh man… very yummy with a spinach salad on the side. Thank you, Jerry.

Now, I’m all nestled and snug on the couch, watching hokey Hallmark movies and enjoying my Black Russian Friday.

Cheers, my friends.

Sunday Sermon and a Sunrise

“If you slap my face, I will turn the other cheek. If you slap me again, you better run like hell. Just sayin’.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I took Bella for an early morning walk this morning before church. I love my sunsets, but sometimes the early morning sunrise is just breathtaking. Look!

So many hugs, smiles, and handshakes before Mass. That’s why I love greeting at the door. It just brightens my day, and energizes my spirit.

Today’s Gospel was a tough one for me…

Gospel, Matthew 5:38-48

38 ‘You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

39 But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well;

40 if someone wishes to go to law with you to get your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

41 And if anyone requires you to go one mile, go two miles with him.

42 Give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.

43 ‘You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour and hate your enemy.

44 But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;………..

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My take on it… I do believe in turning the other cheek, but how many times? I think turning the other cheek is more of a way of standing your ground and not backing down. Turn your cheek once and you have proven your point. If you get slapped again, then your assailant has proven his point. I don’t believe even God wants us to be physically, mentally, or verbally abused. I do pray for my enemies and those who have harmed me, but I pray that they may find their way, stop their evil ways, and bring peace to their soul.

After Mass, I stopped for coffee with Mary. We greet together every Sunday, but we don’t get to visit and chat that often, so it was good to catch up. Before we knew it, two hours had slipped away and her husband texted that they were supposed to be at a meeting at 12:30. It was 12:29. Uh oh! We left in a hurry. When I got to my car and opened the door, guess what was sitting there right on the ground next to my car? Yep, a lucky penny. Right there, waiting for me.

By now it was gloomy and drizzly, so when I got home, I put up my hood and took Bella out for another walk. Did I mention she loves her walks?

I was meeting Zelda later at Olive Garden for an early dinner at 4. By the time 4 rolled around, I was starving. Did I mention that Miss Toni loves Olive Garden. A wonderful dinner and visit with my good friend Zelda.

By the time I got home, it was starting to get dark, so it was time for… yep… you guessed it, another walk in the park with Bella.

I made a few phone calls, catching up with friends, but no FaceTime with the grandkids today. We did that yesterday. Now, writing about my day, and another lovely Sunday. Another day to count my blessings, and thank God that I didn’t have to turn the other cheek. I’m not in the mood.

Happy Sunday, my friends.

Sunday Sermon and Some Spectacular Skies

“Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.”

― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

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Another hot Texas morning. I woke up well before the alarm, so I walked the dog and did a little extra alone walking before 7:30, then rush out the door by 8:15. I always enjoy seeing the sun and clouds when they first wake up the morning sky.

I arrived at church just as I saw the Chateau Senior Living bus round the corner. So, I ran like the wind, (actually more like a speedy turtle with a bad knee) to the far end of the church to meet and greet the ladies and open the side doors for them. Many hugs were exchanged. Then, back to my front door greeting.

Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus sending out the 72 in pairs ahead of him to the towns, sending them out like “lambs among wolves.” They were told to go and stay only where they were welcome, bringing peace to them, curing the sick and telling them that the kingdom of God was near. Also, to leave any place where they were not welcome, leaving the same message.

They returned saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.

Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and  scorpions

and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,

but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

My take on it… We have the choice to accept and welcome the word of the Lord. Again, the free will thing. You can be kind, good, honest and gentle and be welcomed into heaven or you can follow Satan and be evil, and the kingdom of heaven will be closed to you.

I personally believe in heaven, but even for those who don’t, isn’t it better to lead a good life, being good and kind to others, just for its own sake? I always liked this quote…

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live as if there isn’t and to die to find out that there is.”

~Albert Camus

After Mass, I stopped at McD with Helene and Jerry for coffee, then to the store for a few last minute things. Then, a quick stop to check mail and water plants for a traveling friend. It was already pretty darn hot. Helene had asked if I wanted to meet for dinner around 5, and I suggested Braum’s. My dinner would be a large frozen yogurt twist cone.

It was a good day, a hot day, but always a nice ending when I can FaceTime with the grandchildren. The baby was already asleep, but here’s a cute picture from earlier. I just love those faces!

Now, to close with last night’s sunset. I saw this orange glow outside the back window and just had jump up, open the door and take a quick picture. Just too amazing. How does God do that?

Happy Sunday, my friends.

Tuesday:) Today From Sunrise to Sunset

” A lot can happen from the time the sun scorches the morning sky till it slithers in a glowing retreat below the dim horizon.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I have no idea how an entire day can slip away in the blink of an eye. Especially when you go to sleep at 2am and the alarm blares at 7. I was out walking the dog by 7:30 and out the door for Zumba by 8:15, then home before 10. Then, Bella stared at me with those big puppy dog eyes, and we were off to the park again.

Sunrise

When my phone clicked with a text, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from my neighbor Allison. She asked if I had plans for lunch. I told her I’d stop by while I went out for the rest of my solo walk. (Let me check my miles for today on my phone. 4.5mi.) Zig-zagging through the neighborhood, I ended up in front of her house, where she was busy planting, tilling, and weeding.

She said if I wanted to pick up some lunch, we could sit in her beautiful backyard under the big shady tree. I offered to make some black bean quesadillas and bring them over. I love to cook. We had such a relaxing lazy lunch under the shady tree. It was already in the 80’s, but there was a wonderful breeze.

The afternoon slipped away with good food and fun conversation. Allison asked if I wanted to hit a couple of thrift stores with her. Cool! We started at INN Style then off to Goodwill, just looking for possible trash to treasure items. I found a couple of big glass bowls for next year’s Empty Bowl’s Charity event, a little cross for my cross collection wall, and a few other treasures.

Allison bought some really cute plates and glassware for a garden project. While looking at the glassware, she saw some margarita glasses and said, “Now, I’m really craving a margarita.” Well, I wasn’t driving, so I was more than happy to join her for a happy hour beverage. We went over to Pepe’s Tacos Y Mas. I’d never been there before. It was a really cool place and my margarita was magnifico. Pepe, the very sweet owner, served us and brought us complimentary chips, salsa and queso. It was yummy. As you can tell, the glasses and dishes are empty. Gracias Pepe. (How ironic- on the tv behind Pepe, there was a news report about Taco Truck Tammy in the background.)

When I got home, I fed the dog and took her for a walk later in the evening, just in time to catch the sunset.

Every day is an adventure.

Theme Song Thursday:) Sunrise and Sunset

“Any day that you get to witness the majesty of a glorious sunrise followed by a sultry sunset, now, that’s a great day, my friend.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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The beautiful morning sun took away the chill of the actual freezing temperatures. Even the frost on the grass sparkled with delight.

Sunrise

https://youtu.be/LO36F–Vn1g

But, I must admit, sunsets are my favorite photos. The oranges and golds and crimson bursts of color reflect on the water. I always say, only God could paint such a magnificent painting in the sky.

Sunset

https://youtu.be/TX6Fj85xySc

Friday:) From Sunrise to Sunset

“At sunrise everything is luminous but not clear.”

― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories

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My Friday, from sunrise till sunset.

The alarm sounded at 7 am. Get dressed, feed the dog, take her for a walk, pick up the girls for 8:30 kickboxing class at the YMCA. Yikes! That’s gonna hurt tomorrow. Home, walk the dog again. Get art supplies, bowls, food, snacks, drinks, etc. ready for Towne Creek art class. Make calls to family, and feed dog and walk her again.

I ordered a new phone from the AT&T store Tuesday, and they said it would be in today, at the latest. I called their number five different times. After several dial 1 for this and 2 for thats, no one answered the phone. IT’S A PHONE STORE, FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!! I tried checking the status on my iPad, but the internet kept churning and churning and wouldn’t go through. I have AT&T internet, of course.

So, I dropped into the store on my way to my art class. I asked if my phone had arrived. They said they didn’t know, did I check the status on-line? Ooh! He shouldn’t of said that. I told him my internet is horrible and no one answered the phone after five different calls. He said maybe later today, but they would call me. Yah, right!

Then, off to Towne Creek. We worked on painting bowls for the Empty Bowls charity event coming up soon. We had a lot of fun painting and creating.

While the paint dried, we had our little feast. I brought sparking apple juice so we could make a toast to Mom.

Back home by 7, and yep, walk the dog. My friend Linda picked me up and we went off to the square to have grilled cheese and fries at Dempsey’s. Now, I just to to post this, put my feet up and have my Friday Black Russian.

Happy Friday, y’all!

Friday:) From Sunrise to Sunset

“A sunset will color your dreams.And a sunrise will color your smile.

It’s all God asks.” 

― Anthony T. Hincks

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(A picture’s worth a thousand words. Two pictures tell an entire story.)

To color my smile.

To color my dreams.

Happy Friday…

Saturday:) Sunrise to Sunset

“So dawn goes down today. Nothing gold can stay.”

~Robert Frost

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Today is a good day to merely share some gorgeous sunsets and sunrises. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Wednesday:)Words of Wisdom

Rejoice in the beauty of each sunrise and you will bask in the glow of each sunset.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“For a cheerful mind, sun never sets; for a cheerless mind, sun never rises!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

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As you may or may not know by now, I take pictures of EVERYTHING. I have over 1,400 photos on my iPhone and I have to keep deleting to add more. It keeps telling me I have no more room. I know…I’m suppose to put them on my lap top, but I like seeing them all on my phone.

But, my absolute favorite photraphs are the amazing sunrises and sunsets that I see on my walks. Each day is more spectacular than the last. It almost takes my breath away.

Therefore, my words of wisdom for today…look at each sunrise or sunset closely. The sky is an ever changing canvas of glorious colors and hues. It’s like a free IMAX movie that is always a new release. Maybe grab some popcorn and enjoy the show.