Great Is God's Faithfulness

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23

Saturday night, Judith led the orchestra in our annual hymn sing.

This time it was held on our church courtyard so we could socially distance.

Everyone wore masks.

And only 50 people were admitted to sing along.

It was a beautiful evening.

One of the songs she chose was, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."

The words of the first verse say, 

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto Thee.

What a powerful testimony to God's greatness.

He is faithful to me, even when I lose my way.

His compassions never go away.

Instead, they are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness, O Lord!

No Longer Strangers

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. — Ephesians 2:19

We are fellow citizens with God's people.

And we are members of His household.

He calls us friends.

No longer strangers.

No longer foreigners.

God has claimed us as His own.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are adopted into His family.

He Knows Us

Jesus answered, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." — John 10:27

Jesus is our Savior and Shepherd.

He calls us to follow Him.

Jesus asks us to listen to His voice.

He knows me and loves me.

I know Him as my Savior.

And I follow Him.

Help me to follow every minute of every day.

The Work of God

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” — John 6:29

God is working His purpose out in the world around us.

He uses people just like me and you to accomplish His will.

If we decline to take part in His plan, He just moves on to the next person.

His will is done, even if we choose not to take part in it.

God sent His Son Jesus to save me.

All He asks is that I believe in Him.

And I do!

God's Unfailing Love

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. — Psalm 94:18-19

God's unfailing love supports me no matter what comes my way.

When I am anxious, He consoles me.

His love brings me joy.

When my foot slips, He helps me up.

He supports me when I can't stand on my own.

When I was anxious, God's consolation brought me joy.

He calmed my fears and took away my anxious thoughts.

He loves me!

God Fills Me With Eternal Pleasures

You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. — Psalm 16:11b

Coeur d'Alene Lake

God fills me with joy.

I praise Him.

He guides me to eternal pleasures.

God fills me with joy in His presence.

He holds these pleasures in his right hand.

Our friends Brad & Peggy celebrated 45 years of marriage on Sunday.

Our friend Marion celebrated her birthday yesterday.

God has blessed our friendships.

The Lord overwhelms me with blessings.

The Path of Life

You make known to me the path of life. — Psalm 16:11

God helps me see the path before me.

He guides me in the way He would have me go.

The Lord smooths the path and helps me down the narrow road.

He helps me know the path of life.

And God guides me away from the path of death.

His Word is a lamp to guide my feet in the dark valleys.

The light of Jesus shines before me. 

Help me to follow your way, O God.

On Saturday, our orchestra, led by Judith, will host a hymn sing in our church patio.

We will sing out the hymns of the faith.

Many are directly from God's Word.

A reminder of how God leads us each day.

He leads me by His own hand.

My Heart Is Glad

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. — Psalm 16:9-10


My heart is glad.

I rejoice in the Lord.

My body is at rest.

I rest secure in the knowledge that God is with me.

He will not abandon me.

He watches over His faithful flock and brings us back to the fold.

We were born into community.

I Will Praise the Lord

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. — Psalm 16:7

I want to praise the Lord at all times.

I rarely do, but I have good intentions.

Today I went back to the La Jolla Y to swim with Abby.

Very refreshing.

It was 91 degrees on the way home at 10:00 a.m.

I went again to the Santee Y this afternoon.

I praise God for the beautiful weather, the cool water, and the ability to swim today.

Both pools have beautiful views of the mountains around us.

And the blue skies up above.

God's world is amazing!

God Makes Me Secure

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. — Psalm 16:5

God is my portion.

He fills my cup and provides everything I need.

Without Him I am nothing.

He makes me secure.

God's creation is amazing.

He holds me in the palm of His hand.

I am thankful.

 

My Lord

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” — Psalm 16:2

God is my Lord.

Jesus is my Savior.

The Holy Spirit guides me along the right path.

Apart from God I have no good thing.

Apart from Him I am nothing.

He is the Creator, Redeemer and Lord.

He knit me together in my mother's womb.

I am grateful to be called His child.

My Eyes on the Lord

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. — Psalm 16:8

God keeps me steady on my feet.

When I waver, He holds me up.

Through His Word and through the Christians around me, He upholds me with His right hand.

When I start to fall, He reminds me through His Spirit, that He is with me no matter what.

I am grateful.

Whoever Has the Son Has Life

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. — I John 5:12

Jesus gives us life.

Without Him, we have no life.

On Friday, my former boss will retire.

I will miss her greatly.

I'll make scones to help her celebrate.

Christ Returned to Life

For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. — Romans 14:9

Kirk Golfing Torrey Pines

On Monday Kirk went golfing with friends at Mission Bay.

Last week they went to Torrey Pines and he had a good day.

He met with his golf instructor on Thursday and really did well, hitting some very impressive shots.

The lessons really seem to be paying off.

Our neighbor Stan took this great photo of Kirk at Torrey Pines.

What a beautiful day!
 

We Live for the Lord

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 14:7-8

On Sunday Abby and I headed back to the Y to swim.

The temperature outside was once again very warm.

Though it was not up to 100 as it was a day or two ago.

Even so, the pool water felt wonderful.

And our 45 minutes flew by.

We shared a lane, but it was one of the longer ones pictured here, so it was not too inconvenient.

We came back tired but refreshed.

Praising God for another day together.

We Live for the Lord

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 14:8

This morning the sun shone brightly and the temperature quickly rose.

By 10:30 it was in the high 80s.

Now it's 100! Really hot for San Diego.

Tonight we'll have dinner outside with friends, and it will still be warm.

Tomorrow Abby and I will go for a swim at the YMCA to cool off.

I went over after work on Friday for a swim, too.

And it was the perfect temperature.

God has blessed us.

Deceptive Philosophy

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. — Colossians 2:8

It's hard not to be caught up in human philosophy and the latest trend.

But God warns us not to let hollow and deceptive philosophy take us captive.

Anything that depends on human tradition rather than on God should take a back seat to God's plan for me.

The spiritual forces of this world are in a battle for control over my mind and heart. 

But the ultimate winner of that battle will be Jesus. 

Help me, Lord, to be discerning and to follow you rather than deceptive philosophies.

 

Continue to Live Your Lives in Him

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. — Colossians 2:6-7

It is not always easy to live my life in Christ.

I have a short temper at times.

I get frustrated and impatient.

This week I apologized to a coworker for getting upset.

I was disappointed when some features we had asked for on our new blog rebuild were not included on our checklist.

Later I apologized for losing my temper.

Jesus continues to work in me to mold me into someone who can be more patient and considerate of others.

He strengthens me in the faith.

I am overflowing with thankfulness for His mercy.

Present in Spirit

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. — Colossians 2:4-5

La Jolla Shores Beach

Paul is warning the people in Colossae to beware of fine-sounding arguments.

As a new Christian, I was often swayed or confused by elaborate arguments.

As I grew in my faith, I became more confident of my beliefs.

I became more familiar with what God's Word actually said.

As I read more Scripture, I learned that God's Word is true for all time.

Now I see His hand in everything I do and in all the circumstances I'm in.

He guides me each day.

Encouraged in Heart

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. — Colossians 2:2-23

La Jolla Shores

Paul is writing to the people in Colossae, to encourage them.

We often need to be encouraged, too.

God wants us to be united in love.

He wants us to have the full riches of complete understanding.

But I don't always understand.

The more I read His Word, the more I begin to understand.

Each time I read it, He opens my mind and heart to something new.

Scripture is living and active.

When I remember to pray before I read, He speaks to me through the words on the page.

In Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

How cool.

Believe in God

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. — John 14:1 

I know that God does not want me to worry.

He tells me not to let my heart be troubled.

Saturday morning we had a great hike along La Jolla Shores.

I had a chance to hear about some of the struggles my friends were going through.

My listening ear can help them worry less.

That's why God had me there at that time.

I believe in God.

I also believe in Jesus.

My heart is not troubled.

It Was Very Good

God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. — Genesis 1:31a

On Saturday, as we hiked from La Jolla Shores down to Black's Beach, we passed lots of beautiful cliffs.

And we also passed this guest house.

It must have been amazing in its heyday.

That's an elevator on the left so you could easily get down the cliffs to the beach from the house up above.

This would have been a completely secluded getaway.

God's creation is amazing.

It is very good.

God Takes Delight in Us

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. — Psalm 149:4

Saturday I walked along La Jolla Shores beach with some friends.

What a beautiful morning!

The temperature was perfect as we hiked down to Black's Beach.

The water was amazingly blue.

My hiking buddy Jen joined us.

She was impressed with all of my wonderful friends.

They are great people, and I am so blessed to know each one.

God takes delight in His people.

He crowns the humble with victory.

Help me, Lord, to be more humble.

Wisdom from God

It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. — I Corinthians 1:30

Because God has chosen me, I am a child of His.

And I am in Christ Jesus.

He has become for us wisdom from God.

Jesus is my righteousness.

He is holy and my redeemer.

Today we went for a 5 mile flat hike along La Jolla beach.

A beautiful day for a walk with girlfriends new and old.

Abby and I did a hike along this beach a few years ago.

God has blessed us with beautiful beaches to explore.

God Chose the Lowly

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. — I Corinthians 1:28-29

God chose us as His children.

I am a child of God.

He chose me even though I am lowly and needy.

I cannot boast before Him.

I can only give Him all of the glory and praise for everything He has done for me.

Yesterday Rodney and Melody had their baby Millie.

God knew her before she was ever born.

He knit her together in her mom's womb.

And we are praising Him for the miracle of birth.

God Chose the Foolish

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. — I Corinthians 1:26-27

When God called me, I was a sinner.

I still am. But he is working on me.

He hasn't given up yet.

God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise.

He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

He loves me in spite of my flaws.

Wiser Than Human Wisdom

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. — I Corinthians 1:25


The foolishness of God is wiser than our own human wisdom.

The weakness of God is stronger than our own human strength.

God gives us His wisdom.

And He gives us His strength.

When we go through hard times, we can rely on His strength to carry us through.

Called Into Fellowship

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. — I Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful.

He has called us into fellowship.

We fellowship with other Christians.

And we worship together as one body in Christ.

God has called us into fellowship with Jesus.

God's Son Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

This is the Anthurium we were given a year ago.

It is now thriving in our front courtyard.

Kirk has cared for it and watered it to ensure that it is happy there.

God nurtures us in His love and care.

When we join in fellowship with others, God helps us to thrive.

Living Sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. — Romans 12:1

God has been merciful to us.

He asks me to offer myself as a living sacrifice to Him.

Giving myself back to Him each day, doing His will, following His way.

This is the kind of worship He asks of me.

To give Him my life and my heart and mind.

To be a living sacrifice, doing things that are pleasing to Him.

Living a life that is holy and that glorifies His name.

God Is Faithful

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. — I Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful.

God has called us into followship with His Son.

Jesus Christ is our Lord.

It had 3 bedrooms, a rooftop deck, and a pool.

Worship the Lord

Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. — Exodus 3:25

Today we are worshipping God on Livestream, since we can't gather in person.

Our services are recorded days or weeks earlier and then the music, pastors, prayers, sermons, and each section is spliced together into one service.

Our family usually watches together at 11:00.

God calls us to worship Him.

Sometimes it seems easier to worship the world He has created instead of worshipping the Creator himself.

When I begin to fall into that trap, I try to shift my focus to thank God for creating the entire world.

And to thank Him for creating each marvelous part of it.

Listen to the Word

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. — James 1:22

God tells us that it is not enough to simply listen to His Word.

Our Lord also asks us to do what His word says.

I need to know His word so I can follow and obey it.

Today I made bread - french and sourdough.

We spent the evening swimming and hanging out with friends.

A relaxing day together,