Phoenix, Arizona for Thanksgiving

I'm sitting here in Phoenix, AZ just finishing my second round of golf in two days. The temperature is abut 77 degrees F. and "I'm loving every minute of it!" I just heard that Grandville has about 6" of snow on the grownd. : ( Phoenix is definately the place to be at this time of year. : )

I spent Thanksgiving with my brother Larry and sister Janelle for the first time in almost 30 years! Life goes by so quickly. Take the time to smell the roses, and remember...happiness is the journey, not the desination!

God bless you all and check back soon to see some of the beautiful flower photos that the great desert southwest has to offer. Many are in full bloom right now!

Jim

CrossWise Christian Music Band

CrossWise is currently working on its second CD. The project will be completed sometime in late Spring of 2006. For more information on CrossWise and their concert engagements, click on http://www.crosswise.us or click on the link at the right.

The photo above was taken in March of 2005 at WKTV studio on Clyde Park in Wyoming, Michigan. CrossWise is left to right: James A. Cash (guitar), Kim Paavola (drums), Norm Paavola (bass) and Gary Pritchard (keyboard).

Intention of Your Heart

1. When you spend time reading God's word, you are feeding your spirit. As your spirit man grows, you want to obey God, love others and help people rather than hurt them.

You have good intentions.

2. When you purposefully disobey God, it will be known. You cannot hide. God will empower you in every endeavor when it is in agreement with His law.

Retribution awaits those who thwart God's law.

Dew Settles on Cash Park

When you take a stroll through our yard, don't forget your camera. One morning in last September, the dew had settled on many plants and trees. The photo above is where the dew settled on a spider web in the Juniper bushes on the East side of our home.

Here's another photo I took where dew droplets formed on some Colombine leaves in the front of the house.

God bless you all on this very special day!

Poetry for the Soul - God is Here, God is Near

GOD IS HERE, GOD IS NEAR

by Linda Blankenship

God is here. God is near.
He is always ready with a listening ear.

When things get rough,
And no one is there,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Then watch and see how things work out.
Be patient and not full of doubt.

God knows and wants our every need,
And on His word we need to feed.

This will help us our whole life through,
Especially at times when we don't know what to do.

Isn't it great that God loves us so.
It sure is a great and wonderful thing to know.

Copyright 1999, Linda Blankenship
Odyssey Books
Cedar Publishing, LTD.
36923 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48310

Tunnel Vision on Kent Trails

One sunny afternoon in October 2005, I was riding my bicycle down Kent Trails where it intersects the new M6 highway. The first photo I took was an interesting look at the trail from the entrance to the tunnel.

The second photo is a little further down the tail by 72nd street. I recommend riding this trail from 56th street south to Byron Center, Michigan. That's about an 8-mile round trip.

Church Bulletin Misprints

"Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa will be speaking tonight at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine. Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa."

"PRAYER & FASTING Conference. The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer Conference includes meals."

"Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King."

"Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."

"Next Sunday is the family hayride and bonfire at the Fowlers'. Bring your own hot dogs and guns. Friends are welcome! Everyone come for a fun time."

"Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you."

"The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict."

"The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks On the Water'. The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus'."

"Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get."

"Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons."

"The "Over 60's Choir" will be disbanded for the summer with thanks."

"The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are afflicted with any church."

"The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning."

"Remember in prayer those who are sick of our church and community."

"Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on 'It's a Terrible Experience'."

"Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I Will Not Pass This Way Again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation."

Feathered Friends at Cash Park

Here are some unique and beautiful visitors at Cash Park.

Above - American Gold Finch

Below - Purple House Finch

Poetry for the Soul - Moment of Awareness

MOMENT OF AWARENESS

by Irene M. Cash

One night in the darkness and noise of the world

I froze in mid-sentence, the room reeled and twirled.

Is there anyone out there, anyone at all

Who hears what I'm saying? Please answer my call!

My chatter and banter were merely a guise,

My soul is screaming, just look in my eyes!

My pain is enormous, too ugly to share

The weight of my grief is too much too bear!

I crumbled inside and ran for my life

Crying out to God in my suffering and strife.

Just as I felt that bottomless pit

surround and engulf me, a small light was lit.

Deep in my soul a spot like a seed

A name, JESUS, rose up in me.

Out of Gods Breath, His mark upon me

There rose such a joy I fell to my knees!

I uttered His name unto the wind

And all 'round about me light shafts came in,

To drive out the darkness, the suffering and pain,

He lifted my burden, I stood tall once again, indeed,

He lifted me up in His arms oh so strong

And there I shall stay as this world rolls along.

Published in God's Potpourri Volume II
Copyright 1995, Rainbows End Company
354 Golden Grove Road, Baden, PA 15005

Photos at Cash Park

Seasons come and go quickly in Michigan. Here's a few photos for you to enjoy of Cash Park.

Hybrid Day Lillies ... we have many varieties.

Backyard patio area.

Another view of the backyard patio area.

Side of house view looking toward park.

What is Cash Park?

Cash Park is located in Grandville, Michigan. Irene and I had our home built in September 1995. Our house is on the corner with the backyard adjacent to the Home Owner's Association Park. At a quick glance, it looks like our yard is part of the larger park area including tennis courts, a playground for children, and lots of grass and trees.

As we developed the gardens and landscaping early in the Spring of 1996, our builder stated to us one day, "We should call this 'Cash Park'!" Thus, the name stuck.

Years ago, we created a website dedicated to our friends and family where they could go and see the development of our perennial gardens and landscaping. We also, developed a website entitled, Jesus1st.org. It is no longer in service, but you will find much of its content in the postings on this site.

Please enjoy this BLOG and let us know what you think when you have a moment. God bless you all.

Jim and Irene