Pathways

{Life is full of responsibilities and to-do lists. It's easy to dismiss doing something for ourselves (pastors have this problem)...it's as though we need permission to do what we want to do. Grant yourself one thing you want to do or not do today...}

Sound of Silence

Though silence can be blissful, certain sounds can make our hearts soar...the pitta pat of rain, the singing of a sparrow, and the distant sound of thunder. What sounds make you happy?

A Time for Everything

1776 Park- Friendswood, TX.

...For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...

Changes in life can be taxing but they can also be opportunities.  Some changes are so gradual that we don't even notice them.  But sometimes our lives are rattled by abrupt changes and feel that we are in the sinking sand. For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose.

The Storms of Life Commeth



2016 Main Street Houston, TX.

Expect to encounter adversity in your life...anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities and situations beyond your control. The storms of life will come...not if, but when.  We tend to sink when we take our eye off Jesus during the storm...just like Peter did in our scripture reading.  When we see torrential rains and winds marching toward us, cry out to Jesus...don't try to do it all yourself.

I was blessed to get this shot on the first try!!

The Milk Pail, League City, TX

We live in a society that glorifies busyness; many of us stay busy in order to try to anesthetize pain and suffering in our lives.  Try to take some time for yourself today...it's okay.

This little gem of a restaurant/gift shop can be found in historic League City, TX.  I am blessed to enjoy a wonderful meal in the stillness of this historic house.

I noticed that the older I become, the more I enjoy a quiet restaurant out of the way {and not necessarily the most popular either}. 
 

Resting does not necessarily mean idleness, as most often perceived. Sometimes we can find rest in things that make us happy.  Or rest in just getting away from it all.

Latte on the Square, La Grange, TX

I was excited to see that this little gem of a coffee house was still as hopping as ever! This place still caters to clientele of all walks of life ranging from the multi-color hair teens and 20s to the executive and business types.  The shop was moved from the corner of Travis St to just three doors down. It has a new look but the same feel.  The music is turned down to a soft level where you can actually hear yourself think. I feel good here.

For a Tuesday, this town is pretty busy. People are out and about despite the rain.  This place is quiet and warm. They also have a living room with a big couch and two chairs with Ikea-style pillows.  I love that it is not freezing cold and the fact that it doesn't sound like a rock concert in here.

The girl behind the counter knew exactly what I wanted to drink...the breakfast blend. She asked if I wanted it in a "for here" cup and I got the best one!  I feel so blessed to enjoy this wonderful venue.

Next door to the Brendan Manor is the St James and it looks exactly the same as it did eight years ago!  The architecture and painting is reminiscent of an old Czech village church.

The Cave-2014

Greetings. I am so glad you came to visit.  I want to share another gem I found in the city of La Grange called The Brendan Manor Bed & Breakfast.  This house is truly the epitome of a Victorian-style mansion.  I have been ultimately blessed to be the only guest this evening!  I have been able to explore and take in all its demeanor.  Not even the owners live in the house.  I literally have the entire two-story, five bedroom mansion all to myself and it is unbelievably quiet. 
It has been eight years since I visited the quiescent city of La Grange, TX.  After sometime, I felt called to go back to La Grange for some solitude and reflection.  It was time to revisit the cave. If you recall, the Cave of the Apocalypse is said to be the place where the Apostle John received his visions that he recorded in the book of Revelation. 
We can use our "caves" as a place to connect or reconnect...a place of solitude. Some connect through reading and reflection.  Some connect through meditation and breathing. And some connect through a song.  We all should find time in our busy lives to be still.

I am sleeping in the Tabitha Annette room, which you can see, is quite immaculate.

In my room, was a book of menus for local restaurants around the area.  I was sorry to learn that my old favorite dining facility (Fishes and Loaves, see 2006 entry) was no longer in business so my guide recommended a BBQ place called Legal Tender (I thought the name was cute). This place was just up the road on 77 N about 4 miles from town. And I was the only customer since it was only 45 minutes to closing time.  I got the chopped beef sandwich, which came with chips and an iced tea.  I am tremendously blessed because there are people who do not get to enjoy food every day.

Some say miracles don't happen anymore.  Some say blessings never come.  I am here to say that both are in full force today and both come in great quantities. But I believe many times we are just too busy to notice them. 

 
If you recall, I dined at Bistro 108 back in the summer of 2006.  I was delighted to see that this wonderful venue still existed; however, it's closed on Sunday.

Theologica

Once upon a time, an angel landed on Earth and began to explore...

She and her friend, Aura, explored the forest...feeling the leaves under her feet.





























Oh how she loved to play with the leaves...

...and the pine cones. Angel considered all creation as her friend and treated everything with gentle care.


















She looked up...she looked down and imagined what it would be like to live here..."Oh I'm sure everything is perfect here", she reckoned.

 Angel took her friend by the hand and prepared to ascend back to the heavens.  "my time on Earth was too short", she thought.  "I hope the creatures here make the most of their blessed lives."

The End

Montague Coffee, Colorado Springs, CO

While exploring Colorado Springs, I came across this little gem called Montague's Coffee just off  I-25 on S. Tejon St.  I did not have much time to stay (although I wish I could have).  I got a coffee to go and an orange scone.

It was 61 degrees this morning as I stopped in for a cup on the way back to Denver where I took my last jump seat flight on Southwest Airlines. As always, the pilots on Southwest were more than willing to take me and allow me to sit up front. Thanks guys! And God bless!

Final Non-Rev: The End of Times

The apostle John wrote about revelation, the end of times, and the final judgment. Hardly a week goes by without news of job losses and seemingly little hope for the future.  You may have received bad news of an illness and perhaps in the midst of struggling to come to terms with it. And maybe you are struggling to cope with what is happening to you and what may happen to you in the future. The end, it seems, of your world.

But is it? By standing firm we will receive life in ways that you never thought possible.

This was my last trip and flight as an airline employee.  I took a trip to Colorado Springs for some reflection and solitude. This an awesome sight to behold.

Farview Bed and Breakfast Brenham, TX



Farview B&B- Brenham, TX

This B&B was absolutely delightful!  I was only here in Brenham, TX for a day but I got much rest and solitude, which we all need more of in our diets. 

The wonderful owners upgraded me to The Library for two reasons.  First, I was their only guest that day. And second, my original room was infested with wasps!  Sometimes  unpleasant things happen to make us appreciate the many blessings we have on a daily basis.

Footprints

The sand in Cancun never gets hot.  It's soft to touch, super fine, and sugar white because it's actually broken down from limestone. 











The red flags were flying today so the water was not safe for swimming, which afforded a wonderful opportunity to walk the beach for hours and not get burned.

It was hard to believe that it was this bright at 5:30am on the Yucatan Peninsula. 

Ike

 We were graced by hurricane Ike this week.  On the morning of September 13, 2008, the eye of Hurricane Ike approached the upper Texas coast, making landfall at 2:10 am CDT over the east end of Galveston Island, with a high storm surge, and travelled north up Galveston Bay, along the east side of Houston. I was working in a secret bunker during the entire event and came home to quite a bit of damage.
You can see that Macy is wondering what happened.

Latte on the Square

Locally owned and operated, this cozy little coffeehouse takes care of clientele of all ages. As I walked through the door, I noticed tattooed, pierced, and multi-colored haired kids talking amongst themselves and enjoying the summer while they can. Now, I am a loyal Starbuck's addict but this place blows them away!! The young lady behind the counter made the best caramel macchiato I ever had! And of course in any small town, her mom came in from next door at the local law firm where she worked just to tell her to be home immediately after work! The shop's wall is lined with rows and rows of jellybeans and brownies. They also serve Bluebell ice cream. Thank the Lord for sweets!

 

St. James Episcopal Church

La Grange is rich in religion. In a city of just 4,000, there are over 10 churches of all denominations. I visited them all but the one that I kept coming back to was St. James Episcopal just down the street from my cave. La Grange is also rich in the Czech culture and this church looks like it was modeled from an old European cottage. Czech it out!!  :)

Bistro 108

Bistro 108- La Grange, TX

For lunch today, I dined at Bistro 108. From what I hear, people flock from miles just to eat here. Now I know why. I had the portabella mushroom sandwich on focaccia bread with iced tea! Yum!

Grimm's Fairy Tales- 1914

Since I had the whole house to myself, I was able to explore at my leisure. There were so many old books to browse. I found an old copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales circa 1914. My favorite story was The Singing, Soaring Lark.

Fishes and Loaves

For dinner, my host recommended a restaurant called Fishes and Loaves, appropriately. This place was located just outside the city on highway 159 north. They serve basic home cooking. Terri waited on me. I ordered the chicken fried steak sandwich with chips and a glass of water. And for dessert, Terri recommended the peach cobbler so I indulged!

The Meersheidt Bed & Breakfast

I want to share a little gem I found in the city of La Grange, TX called The Meerscheidt Bed & Breakfast. This cozy Victorian-style atelier is individually owned and operated. This is my cave during this retreat. I was in need of some time away from the metropolis and this place was the cat's meow! Or should I say, the dog's bark since the house has three live-in dogs. Since I was the only guest during my two day visit, they upgraded me to the Veranda Room, which is the master suite just past the downstairs foyer. What a blessing! 

The Cave

I am so glad you decided to visit today!
The apostle John accomplished great things for God in his pastoral work. But if he had not been forced into exile and forced to sit down in his cave to reflect, we might not have the Revelation. If we don't sit still and stop producing, we may miss moments in our life that produce the most good. If we don't rest from work, we may miss out on the greatest work God has in store for us. Are you running so hard that you're neglecting rest and reflection? You may be missing God's biggest work in your life this season. Sitting still may be the most productive part of your summer. Some of you are running hard right now. Some are compelled by some demon to keep active at all times. Even God rested. Without sitting still, John wouldn't have had a revelation. The same is true for you and me. So take it easy today. Sit down in a cave. It could be the most productive thing you do for your work and your life. It might just be a revelation for your soul.

Greetings!

Greetings!
I was hoping that you would come! On this page you will see some of the greatest gifts God has given to me and I would love to share them with you. Please feel free to post comments and contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions. Until next time...peace of Christ be with you.

~Christopher