WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?

Tennessee

Welcome Home Jim!

Saturday, January 7, 2017

The

Posted by Pastor Jim at 12:41 PM

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Here's a Black and White photo of Fiver and our little Christmas tree...

Since all my Christmas decorations are boxed and not accessible in storage... we're going with the minimalistic look this year!

Ah... The reason I came...

I haven't actually been to the Great Smoky Mountains yet... BUT... I will!

Today is Memorial Day where we honor those who have given their lives in service for our country...

But it is also a good time to remember another ONE who gave His life up for us...

Our Blog Post today, gives an interesting view

of the plan and purpose of JOY in our lives...

Today's after Mother's Day Blog Post

Discusses the importance and perks of PARTICIPATING in the Gospel Message!

Piper and I had just gone through some rough financial times when this was taken...

But we stayed with an attitude of JOY because of the firm foundations of our faith!

Today's wet weekend blog post talks about...

Living Life BIG for God!

Have you ever considered what is...

On the other side of the Cross?

What happens when something BIG...

CHANGES in your life?

Today's Special Weekend Post Discusses scrumdiddlyumptious things in our lives.....

Are there things in your life that are scrumdiddlyumptious to you?

Today's blog post starts a discussion concerning the Bright Morning Star...

and takes a look at the advantages of still, calm and quiet mornings!

Whenever I held my wife I always felt like she simply radiated...

Love, Peace, Encouragement and GRACE!

Even though it is kind of dark and gloomy out here in Oklahoma today...

...there is still a light that is shining brightly in me... & you! (the picture shows my photography reflectors, flash units and other light controlling devices!)

Our post today talks about...

How to make the Impossible... POSSIBLE!

Today's blog post talks about having a relationship with God in your Bible...

In the post I likened having a relationship with your Bible to my relationship with my girlfriend and future wife in high school... and here's a picture to prove it!

Is Jesus...

That 'THAT' in your life?

Do Christians have legal rights?

According to the Word of God... WE SURE DO!

What does God and His Word have to do with...

TRUTH?

Today's weekend blog post is all about making DECISIONS...

& this is the example I used to help in our understanding of the point of the post!

Today's Weekend Blog Post tells what it takes to...

Exercise a New Song in your life! - and there is a story of my old garage band days!

My first 'real' job was at the old Sears store in the downtown area of my hometown in Santa Rosa, CA

...and today's posts talks about a vital lesson I learned today... from an experience I had back then!

Are you ready to sing a new song in 2025?

Today's blog post gets us ready to sing the NEW SONG in 2025 that God wants to put in our mouths...

Today's New Years Blog talks about Christmas Memories and Miracles!

Do you have a favorite Christmas memory? How about a favorite miracle that you remember?

Exactly what was the angel of the Lord trying to tell all the different folks before Jesus was born?

Well, it's simple... EXPECT A MIRACLE!

Today's Weekend Blog Post talks about the real WONDER of Christmas!

Do you have that same WONDER in your daily life?

In today's post, I have the honor of introducing you to...

a new side of someone that you may not know!

Today's Blog Post talks about...

LISTENING to hear God's PEACE!

This weekend's blog post uses an example...

from a sermon my wife preached in 1998!

Since my wife's passing six years ago...

PEACE has been the hardest thing for me to find!

Today's weekend post talks about Fanning the Fire of your faith...

...and here is one of the BBQ's that I mentioned in the post, whose coals I used to FAN into a hot flame!

Today's blog post takes an in depth look at...

The Classic War of Words we fight in life!

Today's blog post talks about FAITH and Howling Dogs...

You'll have to read it to figure out what it's all about!

Todays post talks about Great Adventures!

Read the post to find out how to get a free download and start your adventures today!!

Today's post talks about participating in the Bright and Beautiful things of God!

And it has been Bright and Beautiful out here in northeastern Oklahoma... and getting a little cool. I had to wear my heavy hoodie this morning in the 43 degree morning air!

Today's Weekend post takes a Biblical look at:

LIGHT vs DARK!

My wife's highly marked up Scripture verse...

Of Psalm 119:81 is a good summation of her Christian Faith... and of today's blog post!

Today's special Last Day of Summer post talks about...

Saturday Mornings... and how they direct your daily life!

Do you see HIGHLIGHTED words...

When you study your Bible?

Have You Investigated...

Your own Faith?

Today's Laor Day weekend post tells of...

the ZING I would get when spending time with my Grandpa and later on... with my wife! And you know... I also get it when I spend time in my Bible! How about you?

This is the white folder I mentioned in today's post...

Which contains all the legal documents that approved my being a legal representative of her.

This weekend's blog post talks about the command to LOVE your neighbor...

& takes a look at the order of things & then asks... Why? How? & Who?

What Is...

The most IMPORTANT part of you?

No LOVE - No FAITH!

Piper's and my relationship tended to prove this Biblical statement...

Piper and I with our good friend John...

During a Snow Camp trip in the mid-1970's!

Yesterday would have been my wife's and my 49th Wedding Anniversary!

& even though she's went home to heaven in 2018... I still recall the events of our life together... as if it was yesterday!

Piper and I always dreamed and imagined...

Having a big family!

Today's blog post mentions a reoccurring dream I have...

And funny thing... It always includes my sweet wife who now resides in heaven!

This picture was taken at the Sea Ranch in northern California at the time of the story...

we told in today's post... only it is looking east away from the ocean... on a typical foggy summer morning!

Happy Father's Day!

To our earthly Dad's and our heavenly Father!

Today's post takes a look at the benefits of...

STRETCHING out of our comfort zones in order to accomplish God's plans for our lives!

Here I am at my desk...

at Hewlett Packard around 1986

Here's Piper in the neighborhood at the first house...

In today's Memorial Day blog post!

Piper and I had a long-lasting, fun and deeply personal relationship with each other...

and even felt confident enough to share the Good, the Bad and the sometimes Ugly parts of ourselves with each other!

Today's blog post talks about the sounds and sights that we enjoy...

& I mentioned all the activity this morning - on and around the golf course next to our home!

I mentioned our home in North Carolina

...and here's me and the kids in our backyard of that home!

Piper and I definitely grew up and matured from our dating days

to our raising our family days with four children!

This picture was taken a few months after that first dance I talked about in today's post...

She was wearing the same white sweater as she posed for a studio photography assignment in one of my many photography classes!

When Piper married me...

She entered into the traditions, lifestyle and culture of my 100% Italian family!

Today's special EASTER SUNDAY post...

Takes a look at What's in the Name of Jesus...

Today's day before St Patrick's Day weekend blog post...

Talks about the power in the NAME of Jesus!

What kind of HISTORY

Do you have with God?

Today's post talks about being fully CONVINCED...

I wrote about how I was CONVINCED that our family camping trips would be great fun... like this one in Graeagle, CA!

What does the 1977-1983 CHIPs TV series...

Have to do with success in life? You'll need to read today's post to find out!

Today's President's Day blog post...

Talks about God's 411... take a look and get the information you need!

In today's blog post...

I mentioned Piper's medical reports... Well, most of those that we received were from Piper's brain specialist in a hospital up the top of Castro Street in San Francisco!

This weekend's blog post tells how you and I can be Superman or Superwoman!

You're definitely going to want to check this post out... and don't let any old earthquake (like we had last night) shake you off course!

I was thinking about past leadership positions that I have held...

and realized that I did not always speak with a lot of WISDOM!

This picture taken on the day we returned from our honeymoon...

Sort of symbolizes our whole marriage - lots of laughter all along the way!

Speaking of SECRET PLACES...

This was one of our better known SECRET PLACES that Piper and I enjoyed both alone and with the kids!

Fiver gets all excited before his morning walk each day...

But he finally has to quiet down in order to hear his commands from me!

Our New Years post takes us back...

To the beginnings of our faith walk... and this church directory picture was taken early in our marriage

Today's blog post talks about More and More in 2024...

But while there will be More and More in 2024... 2023 is going out with a burst of C-O-L-D weather! It was 23 degrees this morning with a freeing northwest wind!

Our oldest daughter and I went shopping yesterday...

and we had a blast... It reminded me of Christmas experiences when I was a kid!

Today's blog post talks about one aspect of the first Christmas

And speaking of that first Christmas... Here is a gift given to Piper and I on our first Christmas!

Today's Seasonal Blog Post is all about Joseph...

We know that he was a carpenter... but what else did he do?

Today's Saturday After Thanksgiving Weather...

is beautiful with crisp temperatures, bright blue skies and wispy clouds!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What is the most important thing that you are THANKFUL for?

Today's blog post encourages us to...

Look at others through the eyes of God's GRACE!

Just as our Biblical life ADVENTURES began in high school...

So did our relationship!

Today's post discusses Exciting Times!

...and for me personally, camping would always be near the top of my list!

Today's blog post mentions some of the church programs that Piper and I led in church...

and here's Piper making some announcements at a Family Fun Night!

Today's post is a throwback post that I wrote 7 years ago...

It was written during a very difficult time in my life and talks about having the strength to carry on!

I've been dreaming a lot about my beloved wife over the last few weeks...

In the last dream - she was in her early fifties - just about the time that this picture was taken!

Fiver always like to stop on our morning walks...

so he can catch up with his neighborhood buddies!

This song that we sang together in our Rock Opera in 1972

Became quite the prophetic voice for the 48 years that we shared together!

Piper didn't have to PRACTICE her joy...

It just bubbled up from deep inside... and then our kids caught it too... as you can see!

and speaking of HARMONIES...

This is the 1st song that Piper and I sang in harmony in church... two years before we got married!

Dissension is a major tool of the enemy of our faith... don't be distracted by it!

But Piper always played and sang in harmony... here with my mom, her sister and a friend of theirs!

Summer or Fall... Make up your mind!

After all the end of summer rain we've had... the pond near our house was getting pretty full!

Buzz kind of reminds me of my dog Fiver...

He kept walking from room to room during the thunderstorms... acting like they were following him everywhere he went!

Today's weekend blog post talks about FREE Things!

...and your Bible is full of them!

One of my all-time favorite Christian Bands and Album!

Piper and I learned very early in our relationship of the importance of REJOICING!

Today we take a look at the book of Philippians

Paul's personal manifesto of living the JOY-FILLED life!

Today's original blog post talks about my enjoyment of FRESH vegetables...

and my love for FRESH wisdom and strength from my travels in the Word of God!

Fiver always makes sure that I take...

my Daily Vitamin!

Grace is never Black and White

It always comes in beautiful shades of SILVER!

Today's blog post talks about being...

A PHONY-BALONEY!

Today's post is a reprint of a post I wrote back in July of 2016...

and it talks about the foundations we build in our lives... still very much apropos in today's world!

Piper and I started our hiking adventures early in our relationship...

& in fact... our very last vacation together was hiking in the Sierra's... as was our first vacation 43 years earlier! (pictured here)

Piper and I developed our friendship... that turned into a (very) long term relationship

Beginning when she had barely turned 16! This picture was taken on our 25th wedding anniversary some 31 years later!

We had a big storm blow through last night...

and I have to admit... that I was EXCITED and highly EXPECTANT after it went by and I saw this out the front window!

Fiver was highly EXCITED and EXPECTANT for our morning walk today...

Like he is everyday! He dances around until I'm done shaving!

Today's post talks about PARADES!

Here's Piper marching with our high school band... Did you know that God likes to show off His kids in parades too?

Today's blog post talks about the FRAGRANCE of our memories...

and one of those memories was smoke coming from an smoldering camp fire when camping!

We taught our ministry students and our own kids...

To put their EXPECTATIONS in the Explosive Power of God's Word!

Today's blog post talks about God's desire and our need to:

JUST DO IT!

No Excuses!

There NEVER was a good excuse to not be with her!

One needs a Evidence Board

In order to discover WHODUNIT!

It is QUIET in the neighborhood today...

But quite LOUD yesterday with thunderstorms all day!

Me and My Fun Loving Mom!

Visiting relatives in Southern CA around 1965!

I have begun to PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! how to enjoy life...

By taking the time to savor that first sip of coffee in the morning!

I can't say that I was CLUELESS about our budding relationship in high school!

We both knew that something special was happening between us!

I was listening to some of the "Old Hymns" on the radio the other day...

and I was captivated by the SINGLEMINDEDNESS of each song and how it focused one's attention on Jesus!

Today's post discusses Close-Up Photography and Character

Here's one of those pictures of Piper that I took in-between the close-up photography

Today's weekend post talks about our need to...

Fan the Flame and reignite the gifts, talents and abilities inside of us!

With the crazy strong wind we had last night...

I was thinking that we might have a house flying experience like Doroty in The Wizard of OZ!

Today's post talks about REALITY...

Have you talked to someone that you thought seemed to be in a different REALITY than you?

Today's post talks about the Harmonic Rhythms of life...

& my 12 string has played a loud part of our Harmonic Rhythms!

What better way to celebrate the New Life that Jesus gave us on Easter morning...

than New Life budding out at the beginning of spring!

My '66 Blue MGB in the foreground. My brother's green MGB is next to it...

and if you look close you can see Piper on the front step of the porch!

New growth is sprouting up around the...

Piper's Point Solar Lighthouse in our backyard!

Looking at the California Redwoods State Parks poster...

Got me to thinking about the BIG ways in which God desires to LOVE His children!

I've found myself arguing with the Lord lately because it has been hard for me to imagine...

that my future could be anywhere as good as it was when my wife was alive... But He says contrary in His Word!

I celebrated my 7th decade on this planet yesterday...

This picture remembers another Birthday party of mine some 23 years previous... with the best present of all on my lap!

Marriage & Ministry

These are a few of my favorite things!

Could believing what the Bible says...

Really be that simple? My wife thought that it was pretty Black and White!

Today's post brings us back to the 1980's world of Knight Rider

and into a life of Harmony...

Contrary to the way yesterday started out...

Today is a sunny Oklahoma Day! (a little cold... but sunny!)

Piper taught me pretty early in our marriage...

That I always needed to "DANCE with the One that Brung Ya!"

The front view of our home in North Carolina -

We really enjoyed sitting out on the front porch!

Today's Super Bowl Blog Post...

Talks about "The Greatest Love Story Ever Written!" (This one wasn't too bad either!)

Psalm 37:23 tells us that the steps of strong individuals are ordered of the Lord

...and speaking of planned steps... mine led out into the pouring rain today!

You can't do it alone!

It takes TEAMWORK to make your DREAM work! Who do you have on your team?

The frozen sleet is beginning to melt in the sun today...

so, I can stop using my hiking pole on the frozen ground!

Piper's DREAM was to have a large family...

And it all started here with our first-born son Josh and our first Sheltie Melanie...

My wife and I were both DREAMERS with Pioneering Spirits...

That combination when added to our faith made for a dynamic force!

This is similar to the bag of change I mentioned in today's post...

Obedience and the JOY of giving = The pressed down, shaken together and running over of God!

We couldn't help but be CHEERFUL back...

When we celebrated Joshua's FIRST Christmas with the family!

Piper was the original CHEERLEADER in our family...

But now the kids carry on that special tradition! (Jamie and I a few years back!)

And speaking of Sporting Events and CHEERLEADERS...

You'll notice Piper wearing her vintage '90's jogging suit! She wasn't a jogger... but she was an active walker... and a CHEERLEADER in life!

If Anyone Had a CHEERFUL disposition...

It was my wife, Piper!

This is the first thing I see every morning! And it is the basis for my theme for 2023!

"CHEERFUL IS THE WAY TO BE IN 2023!"

Have a Merry & Blessed Christmas

Everyone!

It is so cold today with the snow and strong winds...

that it froze my face and fogged my glasses as soon as I came inside!

And speaking of SMILES...

This is one of those special ones that I spoke of in today's post entitled: "SMILES!"

What is TRUTH? Whose TRUTH do you believe?

Jesus told us that God's Word is TRUTH...

Another one of the special presents that Piper received from her Pre-School students in the mid-'70'

This was a favorite of Piper's that hung all year-round in our kitchen(s)!

I love to JUMP START the Christmas Season...

...by reading the Christmas Story in the Bible & remembering Piper's & my 1st Christmas when she gave me my favorite guitar & I gave her a fancy sewing machine!

I mentioned in today's Thanksgiving blog post...

That I am THANKFUL for my outgoing, gregarious Italian family upbringing!

It was cold with northern winds and snow flurries yesterday...

But Fiver thrives in the cold weather!

Uh Oh!

It was 24 degrees when Fiver and I went out this morning!

Today's post talks about Safe-Places!

...and looks at Safe-Places from the viewpoint of Roy Roger movies, our local neighborhood market and... well... read the blog and find out the rest!

Has God been FAITHFUL to you?

He sure has to me... and because He is the same all the time... I'm sure that He'll do it again!

Piper's and my 45th Anniversary Mustang hat...

... that I mentioned in today's weekend post!

The first cold-front of the season came in this morning...

Which meant that I needed to add my fleece vest to my hoodie!

Today's post starts with a trip through the city of Tulsa, OK

Tulsa has been called "The Buckle of the Bible Belt" for a good reason!

Some meaningful remembrances of Piper's and my past together!

The Study of God's Word was always a personal adventure for Piper and I...

Here is the picture of Piper and her friends...

driving to school in her dad's vintage WWII Jeep!

My relationship with my wife worked in SIMPATICO

...just like the various FRUIT of the Spirit do with each other!

Piper sitting on the wall of our patio at The Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay, CA.

This was actually taken years later at the Inn during our 25th Anniversary Holiday and not during the time spoken of in today's post!

The remaining Fruit of the Spirit wall hanging...

That we bought right after we got married in 1975!

There are the destructive noises of dissonance and disharmony in the land!

...Do you think that the fruit of Spirit of PEACE can help?

What do the Social Graces have to do...

With the Fruit of the Spirit?

Today's original blog post...

Gives a modern twist to an old story!

Piper was trying to interview the wooden Indian...

to see if he'd consider a job with our children's ministry!

Do you check all the right boxes...

When it comes to living your faith?

Ah! Pictures from the 1970's...

The culture of Mini Skirts and Bell Bottom pants... & we participated in a lot of it!

Today would have been Piper's 69th Birthday!

Well... I guess that it still is... She's just celebrating in another realm!

Do you see your daily Christian walk...

as an ADVENTURE in Faith?

After the initial pruning...

we picked a lot of Gravenstein apples off that tree!

Piper and I were "glued" together in unity...

In the fun times, the good times and in the difficult times!

What can I say? I'm 100% Italian...

and had a burning PASSION for my wife!

Speaking of "fitted" clothing...

Piper's wedding dress was altered to accentuate her tiny waist!

Sometimes... you just got to:

Keep on Keeping On (with what you know) when times get tough!

Are you full of CHEER...

Cheer Up and have a Happy 4th of july!

Even Fiver's getting into the mood!

How do you approach and/or process God's Word?

Is it an "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" time or an "Ah-Ha!" experience?

The kids warming up at camp...

after an icy swim in the snow-melt fed creek that runs through the campground!

Sitting around the camp under the shade

of the Redwood groves in northern California!

With all the hot weather...

We've had some gorgeous sunsets!

The town square

in Lebanon, TN

Broken Arrow High School (a few blocks behind our house) graduates their seniors this week

and they had an event complete with fireworks last night!

US President Harry S. Truman

Was known for the plaque on his desk that read: "THE BUCK STOPS HERE!"

With all the downpours we had this week...

the water drainage creek in our neighborhood was full... it's usually empty!

We had strong thunderstorms all morning but are in the midst of a break between stroms right now...

Then... they start up around 5:00 this afternoon and are forecast to go through tomorrow!

Similar to the setup I had...

Same brand... but my enlarger was larger and could handle the 120 film sizes...

I found these pictures from a 2 night holiday that I enjoyed with that brown haired - freckled girl

who had the love of Christ oozing off of her!

In case anyone is wondering why both my boys have bushy beards...

That hat sure dates the picture, doesn't it!

Some of the plants I put in last year are making a surprise return around Piper's Lighthouse!

I enjoy standing by the lighthouse at night when its glow reminds me of Piper's presence in my heart!

Just as Easter Sunday celebrates the new life that Jesus provided for us...

These apple blossoms represent the new life of spring!

Josh and I on the coast near Bodega Bay, California...

Looking off into our futures!

Piper was unusual in that she had the knack to seemingly...

Always say the right thing at the right time!

My green desk chair that I mentioned in today's blog post!

This was taken in our study in North Carolina!

Today's blog post talks about the time that each of us will enter into our "ONE DAY" with Jesus!

Well... Today doesn't seem to be my "ONE DAY" but it is the day I caught a glimpse of the beauty of God's creation around me!

When we got back home after our afternoon walk yesterday...

I was soooo cold that I had to make a cup of hot cocoa!

Piper and I

When we purchased her new 1998 Suburban!

The skies were quite dramatic on our walk today...

But the sudden lack of sun made it COLD!

Piper and her friend

in 1973!

Fiver wasn't happy about going out into the rain storm...

and especially when the thunder started!

Since my Birthday was earlier this week...

Here is a memory of a favorite past Birthday activity!

Celebrating My Birthday...

Cruising around the lake at 50 mph!

The winter weather quickly came and left and the snow is melting fast!

But... still enough to get packed in Fiver's paws!

How do you see failure?

As a DEFEAT or as a building block for future VICTORIES?

Our Children's group performing my first original Christmas play in the late '80's!

and YES! All the songs I wrote for the played rhymed!

Even or maybe ESPECIALLY when Piper was in her semi-unresponsive condition...

I wanted her to feel the touch of my LOVE for her!

Fiver and his new friend Wallace

During our walk on this beautiful and warm morning!

On this the last day of February...

We'll take one last look at LOVE and the first and last gifts of jewelry that I bought Piper!

My Mom and Dad always had fun together!

After helping to pin the hem on her mother of the groom's dress for Piper and my wedding, he of course had to do something silly while helping her off the piano bench!

We had definitely been through a lot of things together!

And through it all - we learned all about the power of God's LOVE!

We used to see a lot of these Hot Air Balloons when we lived in northern California!

The book of James likens the words that some people speak to Hot Air...

The Bible teaches us the importance

of guarding the words that we speak!

I have always been fascinated by gardening!

Here's an old picture of the best garden plot I ever cultivated (so far) back in 1980-86! Did ya see the puppy on the spinach?

Here's our new hawk friend watching over us yesterday morning!

I've counted 5 hawks in the trees around the pond!

The snow is already starting to melt...

A little sunshine goes a long way!

I Held Fast on to those special hands

From 1970 until her final day in 2018

Piper always made a trip to the beach

a fun time!

I got a new Bible Study aid...

& I'm very excited about using it!

Looking northeast along highway 89 in northern California.

Every time we came across this valley, our breath was taken away!

The morning after a day of light snow...

Not much snow on the ground but it still got packed into Fiver's pads!

We ended up getting a lot less snow than was predicted...

But my son and his family in Tennessee are getting everything we didn't... and more!

That old SEARS store was still the local go-to store

When I started working there in 1971!

Speaking of our kids...

Speaking of loving memories...

When I was going out the back door the other day, it seemed like the setting sun was perfectly highlighting all the pictures of Piper!

It's a JOYFUL 33 degrees out by the pond this afternoon!

Tomorrow's high is supposed to be in the low 20'2!

Welcoming in the New Year on our morning walks...

Yesterday it was -1 degrees but today it warmed all the way up to 23 degrees!

Fiver's getting excited over 2022...

and all the new FIRSTS that God is sending our way... How about you?

It's Christmas 2021

I enjoyed watching the grandkids opening presents and then playing with them!

Today's post takes a totally different view of...

The Christmas Story!

Are Your Prayers...

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH?

Are you smarter than the average bear?

After reading today's post... you just might have to consider yourself to be so!

Piper and I on vacation with her folks at The Sea Ranch on the Sonoma County coast.

This was taken before we were married!

Today's blog talks about lessons learned in 1979...

But this picture was taken in Piper's prime... in 1998!

The Benefits of finding SECRET PLACES...

After trudging up and down the creek, we finally found the perfect SECRET fishing hole!

Piper in the spring of 1981

About a year after Josh was born!

I was listening to a Christmas song on the radio as I was writing today's post...

& couldn't help but remember when Piper and I kept playing that exact song while on a two-day pre-Christmas vacation alone at the Fort Ross Lodge on the northern California coast!

JOY has been the foundation of my life!

JOY is what led me to Piper in High School!

The Morning View

From my study!

Fiver's making sure I do the turkey right and...

He is available for any tidbits that fall to the floor!

I'm Thankful for the 48 years that Piper and I had together.

Here she is soon after we purchased our Mustang in 2015. She could still walk a little at this time, but rapidly declined from there.

Today's post tells a story of a 22 year old Piper...

This picture was taken 3 months shy of that mark!

Today's post even includes a reference to an old...

Tom Selleck western!

Ah! Not much can beat a perfectly barbequed New York Steak...

Except maybe a plate of Spagetti and Meatballs!

Piper and her sister

Officiating at their parents 25th Wedding Anniversary around 1977

Went to get blood drawn...

& she ended up poking both arms!

Sessions of Praise!

Piper and I at our oldest daughter's wedding!

The colors of fall are strutting their stuff!

I couldn't help but enjoy the view on our morning walk today!

Fiver was very interested...

in my lunch today!

The Scripture verse from Piper's 1974 Living Bible

...complete with her underlining & notations!

Piper and I celebrating...

her 50th Birthday in 2003... or was it Mother's Day?

I was convinced about her being the one...

soon after we started dating!

Speaking of our Camaro...

We took it on a couple family excursions as well!

I mentioned driving with the top down in my MGB

Well... here it is wearing its winter hardtop... even though it was warm enough to go for a picnic at the park!

It was in the forties on our morning walk today...

So, I had to switch to my heavier hoodie!

We went for a nice fall walk yesterday morning...

But today was full of thunder and lightening... so we went out back instead!

Fiver started shaking when the thunder shook the house!

So I gave him something to calm him down & covered him with a blanket...

I keep coming back to this picture...

I was SMITTEN by this young lady's JOY and this photo highlights that feeling! (believe it or not... she was 22 in this picture!)

The tools of the writing trade...

With a few of my favorite ink pens and mechanical pencils!

Walking in the Tule's this morning

We've scared some interesting critters out of them weeds in the past!

Our Wedding Day

Leaving the reception hall and start living our new life in abundance!

Piper and I had a deeply personal and intimate relationship.

I believe it is the same level of relationship that we as Christians should have with Jesus!

This was Piper at 21... a few months before our wedding!

Her joyful demeanor never waned through all the years we had together!

Some of the old treasures that I've found at Bookfairs!

They are not really stacked this way on my shelves... I just stuffed some of them for the picture!

Who's Morning Headlines

Out on the lake enjoying the beauty of God's creation!

Isn't it good to know that God never changes...

We've had beautiful blue skies all week...

When a sudden storm front blew in!

Here's a picture that Jeremy posted

in remembrance of his Mom!

My tea rose seems to be celebrating our flag

proudly flying as we remember all those who lost their lives on 911

Ah! Happy Times!

In touch with each other and our growing family!

Labor Day 2021

& the final entry for our 10 part series on "It's not What or How Much but WHO you know"

Today's post gives hints on how to Develop, Grow & Maintain a close & loving relationship.

Piper and I would go on mid-week Holidays a time or two a year as a part of our relationship building process!

Today's post has a Western theme...

So I thought i'd show Piper (boots and all) grooming her horse out by her Grandmother's barn!

Piper and I - circa 1995

I was looking through pictures the other day and was amazed at how many pictures I have of her sitting on my lap!

Our final church directory photo at the Baptist church

in late 1982 when number 2 was about to pop out!

Ah... those fun days in the early 1970's

We were on vacation on the coast with Piper's family!

The BIG orange NASB...

that Piper gave me in College back in 1973! She made the jean cover a few years later!

Today Would Have Been Piper's 68th Birthday

Happy Birthday Sweetie... and have a heavenly piece of cake for me!

I kept looking at this picture during the convention

Because it has the same glow that she had whenever we went to Believer's Conventions together over the years!

I'm just using personal examples from my life as examples to learn from...

...and here's an example of Piper posing Josh for an early picture when we stopped on the way to the coast!

When we said "I Do" - My wife and I committed to never abandon the other.

and I reiterated my pledge to her when she got sick on the other end of our marriage!

Our first vacation at what came to be...

Our favorite vacation destination!

A few of the cameras and filters

Piper and her cousins...

on her Dad's side... one of which called last night!

My flower garden today was a planned event...

Not a quick Knee-Jerk reaction!

Today would have been 46 years since this picture was taken...

as we left on our honeymoon!

Fiver's back from his bath and very clean... and still damp!

He was SOOOO happy to get out of the Vet's office after his bath expereince... even though they told me that he just sat calmly in the tub!!

Not much music resonating from these instruments over the last few years...

But... who knows what new songs & harmonies are yet to come?

Happy Birthday

America!

I found this stashed in the book I mentioned in today's blog!

Piper and our first sheltie Melanie in October of 1979...

Fiver couldn't help but notice that the water had receded

from the previous storm that blew in on Saturday night!

The Night Sky presented by Piper and Curious George

Here's the book that Piper used to teach the kids all about the constellations!

and Speaking of Cheerfulness...

All of the flowers that I have been adding to my backyard is definitely making me more cheerful!

My new Celeste Fig

Just planted yesterday!

I pledge allegiance to the Flag...

Today's is Flag Day in the USA... and it is easy for me to see the majesty of God in it and every good thing it represents!

My Nora Virginia Hybrid Tea Rose just came!

Soak it for a day and in the front planter it goes!

Some of the pictures on the wall

that I mentioned in today's post! (6/7/21)

Fiver in North Carolina

Enjoying our property in the early spring of 2017

Okay... so we squeezed into the little booth more than just a few times...

What can I say... I was a teenage boy! Although... when it came to her... Those feelings NEVER left!

Piper and I...

at our first County Fair together!

The new Piper Point Lighthouse...

stage one... next I want to add a water feature...

Heaven...

Do you ever think about it?

She was my greatest Advocate for the first 40 years of our relationship...

Then for the last 8 - I literally became her advocate and her voice!

Like the Dukes of Hazzards TV show...

We decided to fight the (world's) system of life and to live God's Real Life!

Me in my early Piper days...

On vacation with my folks right after high school graduation!

Piper on one of our special holidays...

on the northern California coast.

The new house and car in North Carolina...

both of which were filled with surprises!

Piper's 1983 Pontiac wagon that we purchased instead of...

Her Knight Rider Pontiac Firebird... we never could have done this with the Firebird and then add a couple more kids as well!

Happy Mother's Day to my kid's Mom!

It was Synchronicity in motion!

This 11th grade Piper is the gal I began to know as a person of "personal" interest...

That I wanted to stay close by!

Since today's post is about THOUGHTS...

Here's a picture of very THOUGHTFUL 17 year old Piper!

Going back in time... a little more than a few decades (as mentioned in the post)

I'm gonna make a guess that this was at her birthday party in 9th or 10th grade...

After I awoke, got some Bible Study & coffee...

We went for our morning walk and almost caught the whole hawk flying across our path!

We went from the mid-seventies yesterday...

to snow flurries today!

Living the Zoe Life...

Piper's happy face says it all!

This is a copy of the newspaper article advertising the Rock Opera

we wrote and directed back in September of 1972! Who knew back then that the title would be the theme for Piper's and my life!

Piper and I having a good laugh one week into our marriage!

Looks like Sam, her family's dog was having a good time too!

The ceramic lighthouses that Piper bought...

On the anniversary trip I mentioned in today's post... along with some fresh candy I bought yesterday!

Piper's Antique Tins Collection...

That brought her the JOY I mentioned in today's post!

The lull before the storm...

Fiver resting just before I fired up the lawnmower and he started barking like crazy!

Walking along the back side of our neighborhood......

following the golf course!

I wrote about the need for exercise in both the physical & spiritual realm in today's post...

Well... here's Fiver & I out for one of our daily walks. He keeps me in good physical shape!

My ring and the gifts I gave to Piper while we were dating

that "marked" her as being with me!

Piper's engagement picture that I took...

about the same time she received her gift of The Living Bible from a ladies circle at church!

Not only did she possess a bubbling joy...

but she also had an infectious smile!

I guess my note taking shows off...

my excitement in studying the Word!

Did you know that...

The Bride and Groom feeding the cake to each other symbolizes their love and commitment toward each other... and to always care for the other?

This is the picture I snapped of Piper...

studying her Bible in our first apartment!

The beardless wonder!

at this point it looks better than having a black/grey/bluish beard!

That "LOOK" stayed the same...

Throughout our 48 years together!

She always made me look better...

Even when she was sporting the "12 Year Old" look... I could tell by the look in her eyes... just how special I was to her!

If I ever started to hesitate after praying for something...

Piper would say, "Jim, remember that we are believer's and not beggars!" She had a way of pulling me back on course...

Piper definitely had an adventurous spirit about her...

& she kept it on fire through her consistent renewal in the Word of God!

Fiver in the 12" snow drifts!

Windchill of -20 this morning...

One of my favorite of favorite places!

In the beautiful Sierras in northeastern California...

As we increase in knowing how intimately Christ loves us...

we will know which First Responder to call 1st in times of need!

This is the photo on my desk that I wrote about in today's post!

Has to be in the mid-'90's since my hair was so dark!!!

Our family at a dinner gathering at my folks

with my brother & his son and my maternal grandmother - in the early 1990's!

And speaking of going back in family history...

Here's Piper and I at the beginnings of our family in 1980!

New Glasses...

They are quite a bit lighter than the last pair!

I was trying to rinse my bowl...

not my shirt!

Piper loved to wear brightly colored socks...

She also loved to wear the LOVE of God!

Our last Youth Group in the early 2000's...

on a retreat in the Redwoods in northern California!

So... what do you think that I was passionate about

according to this picture?

I tend to post a lot of pictures of Piper & the kids...

Well... here's one that she took of me with Josh!

Josh & Mollie sharing a slurp of water

from the hose!

Piper & her sister enjoying a family Christmas...

Before I became a part of the picture!

Piper & a young Jeremy

posing for an 'almost" Christmas picture!

Piper always kept herself in shape...

Here she is in her Junior College days walking the family dogs!

Mums the word... except my Mums aren't too mum on the subject... they're struttin' their colors!

I find that it was easier for me to walk the walk

when it was for Piper's needs... than for mine!

We also taught our children...

to never give in to a spirit of fear!

& speaking of High School

Piper and I in the back of our high school yearbook!

Here's the picture of Piper laughing...

at something I was telling her!

Like I said...

Mandie followed Piper everywhere!

Like I said in today's post...

Piper and I much more enjoyed bringing our kids camping in the beauty of God's nature than to an amusement park!

Once again... nothing to do with today's post...

But here's Fiver guarding our tomato bushes which have been yielding a large fall harvest!

There always seemed to be an atmosphere of JOY in the Berruto home...

Accented by Piper's sudden outbursts of PRAISE!

I found another wedding picture...

at the reception hall getting ready to make the grand entry!

Here's Piper and I singing together...

at the beginning of our movie!

She was my consistent encourager...

But now I have to encourage myself to be consistent!

My family in 1978

This print hung in my parent's hallway for years... and now hangs in mine! Doesn't Piper look gorgeous?

This is the Piper that I remember the most!

I couldn't help but look good when I was with her!

I realized last night that I have a ton of pictures of Piper... I know... Good Thinking... right?

and very few of me! But then I found this one that she took of me in 1986!

Its getting harder & harder

to remember her physical touch...

Would I change anything from those days?

Not a chance!

Our favorite beach

on the Sonoma County, CA coastline!

Goulash or Serendipity?

Whatever it was... it was a great trip!

Hot & a bit damp!

My daughter said that she's never seen me this tan!

Camping with the family

in the Sierra's!

Just about my most favorite place...

In the northern Sierras of California!

Sarah on our recent camping trip!

Holding Miss Bunny...

The fence is going up... Privacy at last!

& they gave me the galvanized poles for no extra cost!

Sunrise from my point of view

while having my morning BIble Study!

July 12, 1975

But we really wanted it to be: June 14,1975

I told of my writing ministry in today's post

But couldn't have done it without my very talented wife who edited and greatly improved my tunes!

I was thinking today...

About how happy I am that I have A LOT of pictures of Piper!

Sarah and I

Fooling around & taking a selfy!

Piper and I with 3 of our kids

not too long before we moved to Oklahoma in 2006.

A young Piper and a young Josh on a hike in the Redwoods

at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in central CA!

Piper, Jamie, Josh and I

In front of the park headquarters/museum at Plumas Eureka State Park in the mid 1980's!

Another family portrait

Taken, I believe, at my sister's wedding!

Piper and the kids

On the occasion of her 45th birthday!

Piper at Lucas Wharf in Bodega Bay, CA

on one of our 2 night holidays together... catch my Camaro behind her!

Here's some of that Joyfulness of Piper

That I mention in today's post!

Here's another treasure from 1995!

Piper and I with my folks and my brother and sister...

I found some more pictures

that brought tears to my eyes... Happy tears!

Piper in August of 1967

Just before the beginning of Ninth Grade. She said that she knew who I was back then... but I confess I didn't know her... until a couple years later!

Another Afternoon...

Spent with our older daughter... a few years ago!

This picture was taken about six months...

After we started attending that little church meeting in a motel room

About The Author...

Pastor Jim: I was happily married to my high school sweetheart Piper for 43 years (after dating for five years since highschool). Following a long battle with Alzheimer's, she went home to be with the Lord in September of 2018. This blog began as my way to encourage others as I shared her final journey of our faith that we traveled for about 12 years. Now that she is set free and rejoicing in heaven, the blog continues with my personal saga of faith in my new life without her. We have four married children, 4 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 3 grand-dogs, one grand-cat, and our 5 year old blue-merle Australian Shepherd mix named Fiver. We had the the pleasure of working as Assistant Pastors in 5 different churches over the last 35+ years in the areas of Children's, Youth, Singles and Music Ministry and enjoyed just about every moment of it! I am a graduate of Sonoma State University in northern California and Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow OK. I recently moved, purchased a house next to a golf course and now call Broken Arrow, OK home.

View my complete profile

Here's one of those pictures...

I talked about in the post today!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Camping back in the late '90's... in the years I would consider to be Piper's prime years!

Piper and our kids...

Enjoying another family legacy!

Piper and I with Jamie in the early '80's...

Jamie just celebrated her 30-ish birthday this week!

I just love this picture of Piper

Doing one of the things she loved to do!

I want to always have enough in my spiritual reserves

...to help my family!

The kids and our grandaughter

fishing on the lake!

Looking at this picture reminds me how small her waist and hips were...

She fit on my lap with room to spare!

I spent the last two days helping one of my son-in-law while...

Fiver stayed with our daughter and granddaughter!

The first picture in our wedding album

Another one of those poignant memories!

Celebrating the BEST decision we both made!

That was #25... we made 43... my hope was for 60!

& we were off on our Honeymoon!

I always loved her hat!

Here's picture that Piper took of me in the fall of 1971 - right after high school!

Looks like it was in my short-lived mustache days!

My Picture in the Site Newspaper

When I represented Hewlett Packard as their Loaned Exec for the United Way drive in the fall of 1986!

Hiking in the Sierra's

most likely in the late '90's!

Piper and I in her Dad's jeep at the Sea Ranch

During the summer right after high school!

Piper and Jamie

Hiking through the meadow at Plumas Eureka State Park in the northern Sierras near the California - Nevada border!

Piper riding in Oklahoma

while we were at a Children's Leaders Conference at Camp Dry Gulch USA in 1998

Piper and I at our Wedding Rehersal...

Looks like I was leading her a little!

Piper visiting me...

at our first apartment a few days before we got married - in July of 1975!

Piper catching some sun...

in Apex, NC in 2015!

This Picture...

was taken 44 years from this coming Thursday at our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner!

My Inspiration and I

Singing at home...

We continued to enjoy short holidays here

over the years!

This was taken on the first day of our Honeymoon...

Our first full day as husband and wife... dig those groovy pants!

This is the HAPPY Piper I remember most!

Her smile and laughter always moved me!

Piper and I on our last vacation together!

Celebrating our 30th wedding annivesary...

A picture Piper took of me...

On our 25th Wedding Anniversary Holiday on the Northern California coast!

She had that spark of life and light

in her eyes... up until the very end!

If you look close...

you can see her old NASB Bible behind her overnight case... she hardly left home without it!

Sarah Piper and I playing in her bedroom during my Christmas visit in 2018!

Piper and I in our backyard!

This was taken on Easter in April of 1999

Piper doing what she loved best...

reading to the kids!

My early days of fatherhood!

Who's watching who???

Another Family Portrait

taken in 2000!

At The Beginning...

We had just returned from our honeymoon and dropped in at Piper's folks before heading off to our little apartment!

Piper and I

Leading a Church Family Fun Night!

Piper at one of her favorite places...

Oh! How I miss hearing her play... She used to surprise me by learning a new classical piece for my birthdays!

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

If you are interested in receiving some more information concerning the foundation that I have placed my trust in, send me an email at: jimberruto@att.net

Links You Might Enjoy!

Arrows of Destiny - Order
God's Word Translation - Info page
K-LOVE - Contemporary Christian Radio
MINISTRY-TO-CHILDREN.COM
Oasis Radio Network - Traditional Christian Radio
e-Sword - Online Bible Study Program

Arrows of Destiny

Our daughter's first published book! - Available through Amazon.com

"I have good news for you...

a message that will fill everyone with joy!"

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