Submit to the Lord

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord.

God commands us to trust Him.

To trust Him with all our heart.

It's hard not to lean on my own understanding.

God is showing me how to do that.

He is helping me to submit to Him in all my ways.

When I do, God will direct my paths.

He will make my paths straight.

God Is With Us

I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. — Genesis 26:24

God is with me.

He is the God of our fathers and forefathers.

He is with me all of the time.

He loves and cares for me.

The mint in our garden has taken off with all of the rain we've been having.

So have the weeds.

Fortunately, I was able to pull lots of the weeds today.

God is with us.

Nothing Is Too Hard for God

Is anything too hard for the Lord? — Genesis 18:14

Yesterday my friend Jen came over so we could go for a social distancing walk.

We stayed six feet apart and walked around our neighborhood for an hour. 

It was a beautiful day.

The sun was shining and the birds were singing. 

The flowers are growing, partly because of the all of the rain we've had.

Here are the flowers in front of our house — a colorful variety of blossoms.

Nothing is too hard for our Lord.

He has healed me of my cancer.

He has healed our pastor's cancer, too.

Is anything too hard for God? No, nothing.






 

One God and Mediator

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. — 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Our church is posting a devotion each day during the season of Lent.

They are written by our church elders, deacons, staff, and leaders.

What a wonderfully inspired and creative assortment of writings we are getting.

I look forward to opening my email each day, just to read them.

I am so thankful that God is our Mediator.

He mediates for me through His Son, Jesus.

And He gave himself up for me, a sinner, before I ever knew him.

That's overwhelming.

God Will Never Leave You

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

God helps comfort us during these discouraging times.

In the evenings, Abby and I will often play a game of scrabble.

Here's our board from one evening last week.

We can find comfort in the company of loved ones.

God is with us.

What a reassuring Scripture.

He will never leave us.

There is no need for me to be afraid or discouraged.

God Is Faithful

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 NKJV

I don't always remember to confess my sins.

I can't go a day without sinning, but I don't always acknowledge it.

Even so, when I do confess my sins, God is forgiving.

He is also faithful and just.

He cleanses me from all unrighteousness.

God is merciful.

Here's the last piece of lemon poppy seed cake that our neighbors brought over on Sunday.

It didn't last long!

They also brought lemons and a beautiful card.

We have the best neighbors.

Glory to the Lord

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. — Psalm 29:2

Monday we got a box of popcorn.

Not just any popcorn, but Jolly Time white - my family's favorite.

Kirk and Abby and our entire family are major fans.

We have popcorn almost every night.

Kirk's dad made the best popcorn with his Whirlypop.

My dad made popcorn, too, right out of the pan.

So we all grew up with it, and it's big hit.

The box held 12 two-pound bags of popcorn, which will last us for about 6 months.

But we are sharing it with friends and family, very selectively.

Here's what Kirk posted,
"T.P. be damned. Now we are good. A case of Jolly Time White Popcorn arrived today. We were down to our last bag. We are now GOOD TO GO! It is a Rogers' thing. Hope you all are safe and healthy. Prayers and blessings. Kirk

The Beauty of Holiness

He appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever. — 2 Chronicles 20:21

On Sunday I made whole wheat cinnamon craisin bread.

Our neighbors brought us lemons and lemon poppy seed cake from their son's birthday celebration.

We enjoyed both.

Who doesn't love bread drizzled with a sugar glaze and flavored with cinnamon, cranberries and raisins?

God has blessed us with thoughtful neighbors who support us when we need it most.

Praise the Lord!

His mercy endures forever.

Worship the Lord

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! — 1 Chronicles 16:29

On Sunday our worship service was down to a bare minimum of participants.

It was available via live-stream since the congregation stayed home.

Our governor mandated that we shelter in place on Friday.

So here's the link to the service: https://livestream.com/fpcsd/events/9038961

Greta presented an awesome sermon.

I sang "I Surrender All" accompanied by our interim music director, Rodney Girvin.

God knew that this song would go well with the sermon, "I Thirst."
 I sang the first hymn, "To God Be the Glory," with our other soloists.

Luigi did a great job on the other hymns and the praise song with our drummer, Joel.

Adam, Neil and Dave did the sound and tech. Isa had the video camera.

Pastor Jerry led the welcome, prayers, communion, children's sermon, and benediction.

It was strange to have no congregation there.

But God was there and with each person who watched online.





He is with us now!

Trust in the Lord

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. — Jeremiah 17:7

Our family trusts in the Lord.

We put our confidence in Him.

Here I am last Thursday at my last appointment in the chemo suite at Kaiser.

I haven't had chemo since July, but I have been having a Herceptin I-V every three weeks.

This is Hazel, the sweet nurse who helped me with my final I-V.

She and Jesse were able to find a vein after the fourth try.

Hurray! The entire nursing staff were wonderful.

Kirk drove me to my appointment.

Because of the Coronavirus, he was not allowed to come in with me.

They even posted security guards at the door and gave me a wristband to show that I was okay to go in.

Another nurse, Rosana, took my picture since Kirk couldn't be there.

She had been my nurse many times over the past year.

I trust in the Lord.

He has brought me through this year of cancer treatments.

He has supported me with caring friends, coworkers, family members, and neighbors.

I am blessed and thankful.

The Lord Searches the Heart

I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind. — Jeremiah 17:10

Saturday I went into work for a couple of hours.

This is the photo I took from my office window.

You can see the ceiling lights in the reflection.

I was the only one on our floor.

I met my team member there so she could pick up her computer cords now that we are working from home.

It also gave me a chance to forward my desk phone and get a few things done.

God searches my heart and examines my mind.

He knows my every thought.

God Provides

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. — Jeremiah 17:14

Today I made oatmeal bread made with butternut squash.

It turned out tasting delicious and our house smelled wonderful.

Here it is, right out of the oven.

I made two loaves so we could share with our neighbors.

Here's the recipe that I started in my bread machine on the dough cycle:

Combine 1/2 cup water with 3/4 cups mashed and cooked butternut squash, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1/8 cup molasses in the bottom of the bread maker or in a bowl. Add 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats, and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast. 

Choose the dough cycle on your bread machine. [To prepare without the machine, gradually stir half the flour into the wet ingredients then beat at medium speed of an electric mixer for 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually stir in the oats and remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.]

Remove the dough and turn out onto a floured surface. Knead a few times. Divide in half. Then roll out to create two 14 x 7-inch rectangles.

Roll up each rectangle, starting on the short side, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets. Pinch ends to seal. Place dough, seam side down, on a piece of wax paper. Coat lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons oats. Repeat procedure with remaining dough and 1 1/2 teaspoons oats. Brush loaves evenly with 1 tablespoon water and sprinkle each with and additional 1 tablespoon oats. Cover and let rise in a warm place free from drafts for 25 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Cook for 30 - 35 minutes at 350º on a pizza stone or cookie sheet, or cook until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!

God has healed me and saved me. He has overwhelmed me with blessings.

The Lord Refreshes My Soul

The Lord . . . refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. — Psalm 23:2-3

God refreshes my soul when I stay in His Word.

When I start to go my own way, He brings me back.

He guides me along the right path.

For His name's sake, He leads and guides me.

He knows what's best for me and directs me in that way.

My Father, he cares for me.

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. — Galatians 5:22

It's not easy to practice forbearance.

And it's often hard to love those who are mean or inconsiderate to me.

Even so, God calls us to show joy and peace to our neighbors, family members, and coworkers.

He commands us to act with kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

God wants us to exhibit self-control instead of giving in to our sinful desires.

Today I will have my final Herceptin I-V.

Since Kirk is off school, he will go with me.

I will get to ring the bell at Kaiser.

This is the bell I rang after completing my radiation.

I am blessed.

God's Chosen People

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

We are chosen by God, His chosen people.

He loves us dearly.

He calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness.

We are to put on humility and gentleness.

And we are to practice patience.

This is the sunset I saw on the way home Monday night.

The clouds were amazing.

Beautiful.

St. Patrick's Day

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. — Psalm 23:1-2

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today is also my friend Laurie's birthday.

It's easy to remember because of holiday.

Our middle school Bible study group made these shamrock tea lights Sunday.

Shining the light of Jesus to a world in darkness.

Sharing the  Gospel with others, just as St. Patrick did.

Salvation in Jesus

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. — Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in Jesus alone.

There is no other name under heaven by which we may be saved.

God sent Jesus to save mankind from sin — the things we say and do that "miss the mark."

I say and do wrong things each day.

Yet God still loves and cares for me.

He helps me walk along the right path.

God is merciful and gracious.

We Do Not Compare Ourselves

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. — 2 Corinthians 10:12

Today my friend Sheri and I will start a new middle school Bible study about not comparing ourselves with our sisters.

We will study the relationship between Rachel and Leah, two sisters who were both marrried to Jacob. 

While he loved Rachel, God blessed Leah with children.

And she kept hoping that the next child would endear her to Jacob, her husband.

As sisters, we compare ourselves and come up short every time.

God does not want us to compare ourselves. 

In fact, He tells us that is not wise.

Here is my sister Becky with my nephew Alex.

Thank you, Lord, for helping us understand Your Word.

Set Your Hope on God's Grace

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. — 1 Peter 1:13

Today I went to my exercise class at the YMCA.

They have cancelled our LiveStrong class until April.

I can still go work out and use the gym.

So now I'll go there just once a week and work out another day at the gym where I work.

Our church has also canceled our worship time on Sunday.

Instead, they will livestream a service with very few people there.

Therefore, with alert minds, we set our hope on the grace to be brought when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

New Birth Into a Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. — 1 Peter 1:3

Today is Friday the 13th.

For me, those dates are usually blessed rather than unlucky.

Next week we will celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the luck 'o the Irish.

Kirk has ancestors from Ireland. 

This month we can search for them for free on Ancestry.com.

Our friend Laurie has her birthday on St. Patrick's Day.

God's Great Promises

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Peter 1:4

Tonight as I left work, I was greeted by this amazing sunset.

It reminded me of God's great love for us.

He wants me to participate in the divine nature.

Next week will be my final Herceptin I-V treatment.

They scheduled it earlier than usual, so I will take a few hours off work and enjoy dinner with my family before I head out for choir.

I will also get to ring the bell.

God has brought me through this journey.

I am thankful.

He Is Faithful

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. — Deuteronomy 7:9

Today after my cardio workout at the Y, we had a nutrition instructor come from UCSD to talk about healthy eating.

Since I was the only one who came to our class today, I had two personal trainers plus two nutrition instructors all to myself!

It was great.

She explained that a plant-based diet, which many doctors and nutritionists suggest, does not mean vegetarian.

Rather, it means balancing the protien from meat with lots of veggies and fruits.

She also explained that cutting back on sugar as a breast cancer survivor is not as important as cutting back on calories.

It's the excess weight and extra pounds that are likely to cause the cancer to come back.

And for those chemo patients who find it hard to eat anything, whatever they enjoy eating and can keep down is what they should eat.

Since I never had problems with nausea and was able to eat throughout my treatment, it was more a matter of eating healthy.

She also stressed the importance of exercise, which my instructors were in complete agreement with.

I explained that after my chemo sessions I would go for a mile walk, and although I lost energy during that time, I felt that the exercise helped me stay in good shape and keep up the energy I needed to continue to work.

She told us that studies have shown that exercising through chemo does help the body reduce nausea and also helps the chemicals to move through the body more quickly, prompting faster recovery.

It was a very encouraging session, and I returned to work afterward feeling very supported.

God is faithful.

Always Be Prepared

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. — 1 Peter 3:15

Yesterday I made oatmeal bread.

Of course, it was best warm, but it is very tasty.

I have another recipe to try that includes butternut squash in the recipe.

Now that I have some cooked, I can try that one, too.

God calls us to revere Christ as Lord.

And to be prepared to give the reason for the hope we have in Him.

Night Will Shine

Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. — Psalm 129:12

God is light.

Even the darkness will not be dark when He is near.

Night will shine like the day.

Darkness is as light to Him.

When I am feeling as if I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, God's light shines before me.

He created all things.

Including me!

Where Can I Go?

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? — Psalm 139:7

San Diego State just lost their game against Utah.

It was hard to watch as they got the ball in the basket from half court, but it flew right out in final few seconds of the game.

We were watching from our living room last night.

Then we headed out to the annual Gala for City Tree School.

What a fun time with our friends and the City Tree parents and faculty.

We can't get away from God's presence.

He cares for us and knows exactly what we need and when.

Lead Me in the Way Everlasting

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. — Psalm 139:23-24

Today I got the letter from my last mammogram that let me know that I'm cancer free.

This was my first one since I was diagnosed a year ago January.

I will have my final Herceptin IV next week.

God has held my hand during this time and given me the support I needed to get through it.

He has searched me and He knows my heart.

He is leading me in the way everlasting, even though I often fail him.

I am blessed.

Go Out in Joy

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. — Isaiah 55:12

Every morning we go out in joy.

The mountains burst forth into song.

The trees clap their hands.

The oceans rejoice.

Even the rocks cry out.

Creation cannot be silenced.

God is on His throne.

We are led forth in peace.

Thank You, Lord!

God's Thoughts

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:8-9

God's ways are not mine.

Not even close.

The heavens are higher than the earth, and God's ways are higher than mine.

His thoughts, too.

He sends friends and family around us to love and strengthen us.

This is the orchid garden our friend Edna brought us months ago.

The orchid flower finally gave up the ghost, but the plants are still blooming and healthy.

We are thankful.

Call on the Lord

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. — Isaiah 55:6

God is near to us.

He hears us when we call.

He wants us to seek Him out and learn from Him.

Today is my brother's birthday.

And this weekend City Tree Christian School will hold their annual fundraiser.

Here's the basket we put together for them to auction off.

Hopefully they will raise lots of money for their school projects.

God has blessed them as they serve families and educate children in mind, body and spirit, helping them grow up in the Lord.

God's Ways Are Higher Than Mine

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:8-9

God's thoughts are not mine.

Not even close.

His ways are not mine.

In fact, they are much higher than mine.

Just as the heavens are higher than the earth.

So God's thoughts are much higher than my thoughts.

I can't even fathom how He loves me in spite of myself.

What a mighty God we serve!

God Will Not Slumber

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber. — Psalm 121:3

Saturday night I made beef stroganoff.

I tried the Pioneer Woman's recipe and it was delicious.

I cooked spaghetti squash for me and egg noodles for my family.

I'm reading a book called "Radical Remission" to find out what others have done to keep cancer at bay or eradicate it completely.

Some of the things these people have in common include:
a plant-based diet
regular exercise
a supportive community

I am blessed to have so many of these things.

My friends and family have been a huge support to me over the past year.

Here's the view of angel island and Alcatraz from Pier 33 in San Francisco.

Thank you, Lord, for watching over us.

The Lord Is Maker of Earth

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:2

Yesterday was Leap Day.

Today is the first day of March!

The past year has sped by.

I have almost completed all of my cancer treatments.

I will have a heart scan tomorrow and one more Herceptin I-V in two weeks.

My energy is completely back, and my hair is growing in.

The exercise program I go to at the Y twice a week and the walking I've been doing have kept me in good shape.

Singing in our church choir has also helped with my breath support.

God has blessed me.