Day 4: A Mini Sermon and a lovely Hike/Meal

As my wife sleeps blissfully this early morning of Day 4, I am considering the great truths of the Scripture Verse I wear on the God Tag I have around my neck...which comes from the Letter to the Hebrews in chapter 6 verse 19.

Before I launch into the glory of who Jesus is and what He has done for us...and continues to do, I want to give a heads up to some of you so you can choose to skip this section if you'd like. I understand  that some of you, like I was for many years, are offended by the Cross of Jesus and the claims of the Bible.  If that is you, I would love you to consider what I'm about to write.  I also want to give you the freedom, if this is not the right time for you, to skip over this section and move on to the exciting daily activities that we are sure to encounter throughout the day.  I will signal the end of this mini sermon with a picture of Breakfast...so you'll know where to pick back up :)

Mini Sermon starts here
Heb 6:19  "...we have this anchor for the soul, firm and secure..."  What a wonderful truth this has been to meditate on this morning.  The fact that nearly 29 years ago (September 25th, 1981), I was humbled, brought to repentance for my sins(of which there were many), cried out to God to forgive me, put my life in God's hands and trusted fully, believed completely,  put my faith firmly in Jesus' death on the cross as God's just demand for the penalty of my sins and totally accepted His resurrection as the demonstration of God's power and willingness to forgive my sins, I was "saved".  From that moment on I have experienced a peace and joy that surpass understanding and explanation.  Oh there have been incredible challenges and difficulties....I'm not saying life has been a simple and fun ride...but I am saying that behind the difficulties, illnesses, heartbreaks and many other trials, I know God is using them in my life to build up my faith, not tear it down.  He uses these tribulations to refine my attitude and bring me more completely to a place of trust in His glorious goodness and plan for my life.

By putting my faith in Him, in Jesus, I have no doubt about my future.  I am Heaven bound.  Storms will come, and I will get knocked down by them, but I am absolutely convinced that God will lift me up...that my soul is secure...that I have an anchor for my soul that is firm and secure...that Jesus is my Anchor.

My hope, no stronger than that, my prayer, is that each of you know Jesus as your anchor.  Many of you do, and are rejoicing with me in how great God is, how amazing life is and how certain our future is....because you have put your faith fully in Jesus.

Some of you may have your faith partially in God, and partially you might be trusting in the fact that you have been a moral or good person. If that is you, turn your heart over fully, by faith, to Jesus.  Then you will know the truth of His saving work, and that truth will set your soul free!

Some of you may be trusting in your religion to save you in the end...Jesus says that "I am THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life...no one comes to the Father but through Me." As you understand that truth, it's clear that a religion doesn't save someone, only a relationship with and total trust in Jesus does.

 Some of you may believe faith is over rated, that science is all there is and that there is no life after death.  If this is you, I believe that in your heart of hearts, at times of despair, desperation, loneliness and or illness, you have had a sense that there must be more to life.  That life can't, it doesn't, end in death.  And that there is a higher purpose for your life.  It is exactly at those times that your heart knows the truth, and when God is speaking to your heart to stop denying and suppressing what you know to be true about God.  For you, there is no better time than now to do what I was drawn by God to do 29 years ago...humble yourself, repent for your sins and ask God to be everything in your life.  Put your total faith in Jesus so He can be your Savior and your Lord...lovingly directing your path.  He can be your anchor for your soul....firm and secure.  Physical death will then be for you, a doorway to Heaven and eternal bliss.

Pondering the truth about God and treasuring Jesus each day is a good thing.  I hope you agree...May your soul be in awe and fully rejoice in the treasure we have in Jesus.  He is the only anchor for our soul...totally firm and totally secure .  To Him be all the Glory, forever!  I hope you can say amen?
Loving Jesus and Loving Life in Him...Gary
End of mini sermon

Breakfast picture goes here...

We had a very hearty breakfast to prepare for our 3 hour mountain climb. Prior to our departure, right out our front door, I took a reflection photo of me taking a picture into our sliding door, back to the mountains:

The concept was better than the actual photo, but you get the idea...As for the hike itself...
I'll say in advance that Peggy proved to be in better condition than me.  She went beyond my resting spot, or should I say, dying spot, by more than 15 minutes.  The trail was pretty much straight up and I couldn't go more than 90 minutes in that direction.  And the flies were insanity inducing.

I think Peggy was saying, "dude, can't you get a movin'?".  To which I replied, "Just leave me here in the shade to die!"

We made it back down, together, and had a great view of our B and B far below...

Resting in time for our exploration into Pinerolo for a dinner.  Recommended by our hosts, this potential 1 Michelin Star location really served some tasty and interesting food.  For example, our amuse bouche was raw pork with turnip sprouts and evoo.

You might be thinking, if the walk didn't kill this guy, certainly pork tartare would do it.  Actually, I was also surprised how this was an amazing combination of flavors that launched us into a great meal...and so far I'm not dead :)))
Each place setting and dish design was unique, modern and very classy.  This antipasti included thinly sliced veal (tasted like excellent roast beef) surrounding smooth tuna fish complemented by celery leaves...yum...

Our primi piatti was tender beef stuffed mini raviolis with super pure evoo and parmesan cheese with some cracked black pepper.

Our segundi piatti (main course) was a wonderfully fresh combination of tomatoes, greens, balsamic vinegar and roasted/seared pork medallions.

We topped off this chef selection meal with panna cotta and berry sorbet...all home made of course..

The serving tray for this combo was unique as well..

Trattoria Zappatori was a great find, and the total bill, including a wonderful bottle of local red wine, tax and tip was 35 per person.  Not cheap, but I think well worth the quality and creativity.

Tomorrow we plan to drive to the Italian Alps, to Sestriere, and minimize the hiking..at least until we get together with Steve and Elva in 2 days. You know how Steve loves to hike.  Elva on the other hand ...

Feel free to comment, or just let me know if you're reading these blog entries.  It's a joy documenting our days, and more so if they're of interest to any of you out there in cyberland:))))) Ciao Bella for Day 4!