I Press On

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:13-14

God has called me to glorify Him.

I am not there yet, but I strain toward His goal for me.

Then I take a few steps back.

I mess up.

Even so, I press on toward the goal.

After all, God has called me heavenward.

And He has sent His Son Jesus to take my hand and lead me there.

Today I pray for those who are struggling with cancer and other illnesses.

Lord, please wrap your loving arms around them and give them your deep peace. Amen.

Jesus Took Hold of Me

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. — Philippians 3:12

Christ Jesus took hold of me and turned me around to start heading in the right direction.

I have in no way arrived at my goal yet.

But I press on.

I take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.

I am grateful that He holds me.

And that He gave His life for me.

 

I Want to Know Christ

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. — Philippians 3:10

I want to know the power of Christ's resurrection.

To become like Him in His life as well as in His death.

I press onward, in hopes of attaining the resurrection from the dead.

Today Abby I went swimming at the Y.

The air was actually chilly when the sun went behind the clouds, but the water was warm.

Very refreshing!

We also heard today that a young friend of ours has just been diagnosed with breast cancer - a 5 mm lump.

Our prayers are with her and her family during this difficult time, as she waits to meet with her oncologist.

We pray for her healing and strength.

May God surround her with His great love.

Knowing Christ Jesus

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. — Philippians 3:8

 

Knowing Jesus Christ is worth more than anything.

It surpasses everything.

Paul wrote that he had lost all things for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Everything else pales in comparison.

My goal is to gain Christ.

Rejoice in the Lord!

 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! — Philippians 3:1

Fall Season

This week we celebrate the beginning of Fall.

Of course, it will be 85 degrees outside this weekend.

And by Tuesday it will be event hotter.

Typical October weather for San Diego!

This weekend we celebrate Yom Kippur.

Our Jewish friends and neighbors know it as the day of atonement.

A time to say we are sorry for the wrongs we have done.

And to confess our sins to God.

As Christians, we do this each week.

Some weeks we need to do it more often.

God is merciful and forgiving.

Rejoice in the Lord! fahrenheit

Welcome Him in the Lord

So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him. — Philippians 2:29

Today is my Aunt Judy's birthday.

She has been a blessing in our family and in hers.

Even though we are far apart - from Virginia to California, it seems like we are just next door.

She has a way of lighting up the entire room with her smile.

And her words of encouragement and support are like a breath of fresh air flowing over us.

We love and miss her.

I Am Glad and Rejoice

I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. — Philippians 2:17-18

I am glad and rejoice with my friends and family.

We rejoice in the Lord together.

I burst into song praising Him for His great love.

You, too, should be glad.

We should rejoice in the Lord together.

Shine Like Stars

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. — Philippians 2:16

Paul tells the Philippians that through Christ they will shine like stars.

God can shine through us, too.

Shine among them like stars in the sky.

We hold firmly to God's Word, the Word of Life.

On the Day of Christ, we will be able to boast in the Lord.

What an exciting day that will be.

Every Knee Should Bow

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:10-11

 

Jesus is our Lord and King.

He is our Savior and Friend.

At His name, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We will give glory to God the Father.

We are thankful for good friends who uplift us in prayer.

We will praise God our Father for His mercy.

God Works in You

 It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. — Philippians 2:13

Today is Cameron's birthday.

We are celebrating his 24 years on the earth. 

Soon to be 25.

God works in him to fulfill His good purpose.

And God knows the plans He has for Cam.

Plans to prosper him and not to harm him. 

Plans to give him hope and a future.

Relationships With One Another

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. — Philippians 1:5-7

Relationships can be tricky.

We are not always the best communicators — myself included.

It takes hard work, forgiveness, and understanding to nurture relationships.

God gives us instructions for relationships in His Word. 

And He asks us to practice the fruit of the Spirit.

Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, self-control, faithfulness, and gentleness.

Jesus is our example, taking the nature of a servant instead of lording it over us.

A tough example to follow.

But thankfully, God and the Holy Spirit help guide us.

May Your Love Abound

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. — Philippians 1:9-11

I thank God for you, my friends and family, whenever I remember you in my prayers.

And I pray for you, that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and in depth of insight.

I pray that my love will also abound.

That I may be able to discern what is best.

That God will help me to be pure and blameless,

Filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control

And filled with righteousness.

All of this comes through Jesus Christ.

To the glory and praise of God.

To Live Is Christ

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:20-21

Today is the start of Rosh Hashanah, where people begin reflect on God's goodness and and thank Him for the blessings He gives us.

I am blessed by a wonderful family and good Christian friends.

We hosted a fellowship group last night.

Several people were not able to make it, but we had a great time with the couple who did come.

We ate delicious appetizers, caught up with each other, shared the latest news about our kids, and took turns reading and listening to Philippians together.

We talked about the sermon our pastor gave Saturday night and the action steps we would plan to take.

And we thanked God for our blessings.

 

Filled with Righteousness

And this is my prayer: That you may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. — Philippians 1:11

At the end of this week, tomorrow, Rosh Hoshanah begins, the Jewish High Holy Days.

The ram's horn or shofar is sounded.

Rosh Hashanah literally means "head [of] the year.",

It is the Jewish New Year. 

The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally "day of shouting or blasting."

It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days specified by Leviticus 23:23–32 that occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. 

It is a time of reflection.

During this time, it is my prayer that we may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

That we may give God all glory and praise. 

Able to Discern What Is Best

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. — Philippians 1:9-10

Today our plumeria began to bloom.

Now we are planning to get another one from our friend Gary.

He has a green thumb when it comes to growing them.

And we are blessed to have been given ours as a gift for Kirk's retirement.

It's beautiful.

And this is my prayer: that your love may grow more and more, just as these flowers are growing.

That your love and mine may about in knowledge and depth.

So that we can discern what is best in God's eyes.

And so that we can be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Thankful, we have a merciful God, our Father.

 

The Affection of Christ

 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:8

Today is my brother Steve's birthday.

I miss seeing him and Miki and the rest of our family.

He and I both work long hours right now.

Here we are last summer with Kelly, Liz, Vicki and Max, Abby and Cameron.

I long for all of them with the affection of Christ.

And I thank God for them each day.

 

 

He Began a Good Work in You

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:3

How comforting to know that God's work in me is not finished.

He will continue to work in my life daily.

And He will carry on His work until I am complete.

He will not give up on me.

Rather, He will continue the good work He has begun until the day Christ Jesus comes again.

I am thankful.

And blessed.

I Pray With Joy

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. — Philippians 1:3-5

I thank God every day for my friends and family.

In all my prayers for you, I pray with joy.

I am thankful for our friendship.

And for my Christian friends who partner with me in helping me follow God's Word.

I thank God for those who mentor me and my family.

Who direct us in the ways God calls us to go.

Here we are with friend ringing in the new year of 2020 at Yani's.

We are blessed.

 

Be Sympathetic

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. — 1 Peter 3:8

It's not always easy to be sympathetic toward others.

But God commands us to be like-minded and sympathetic.

Even when I disagree with someone, I am called to treat them with love and respect.

He asks me to be compassionate.

Not prideful or rude, but humble.

Respecting others' views, even when I don't agree with them.

Jesus Is the One We Proclaim

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. — Colossians 1:28

Today is the anniversary of 9/11.

Kirk and I were getting ready for work when Rita called to tell us to turn on the TV.

She wanted us to know that Kirk's brother Kyle was fine.

He was at the Pentagon that morning, trying to find out what happened at the World Trade Center, when the plane hit the other side of the building.

Some of his colleagues died that day.

What a tragedy for our country.

Even so, we proclaim Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.

The Earth Is Full of God's Love

^{The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4}

^{God loves justice.}

^{His name is righteousness.}

^{He delights in mercy and goodness.} 

^{These are not easy characteristics for us to model.}

^{The earth is full of his unfailing love.}

^{He fills us with good things.}

^{This is the sunset we had just two days ago.} 

^Amazing.

God Is Faithful

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. — Psalm 33:4

God's Word is right.

The Bible is true, and I believe it, even when I don't understand it completely.

God is faithful in all He does.

He always keeps His promises.

Last weekend, we spent some time in Coronado.

We relaxed by the pool, swam, and enjoyed our time together as a family.

God has blessed us, and we are thankful.

Sing Joyfully

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. — Psalm 33:1

Sing to the Lord.

Sing joyfully to Him.

It is good for us to praise Him.

God is deserving of our praise.

To Him be the honor and glory.

To Him be our devotion and praise.

Obey Jesus' Teaching

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. — John 14:23

It is not always easy to obey Jesus' teaching.

Especially since I don't even know the whole Bible by memory.

Even so, He asks me to get to know His Word, and I try to read it every day.

His Word guides me in the way I should go.

And His Holy Spirit lives inside me to guide and direct my thoughts and actions.

To convict me when I start down the wrong path.

And to keep me humble.

One way I can show my love to Jesus is to obey His teaching.

Help me, Lord, to obey.

From the Mouth of the Most High

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? — Lamentations 3:37-38

Today is Kirk's mom's birthday.

We thought Abby might be born on this day, too.

But she came two days earlier. 

And Rita and Gary were doting grandparents.

So was my mom.

When Rita passed away in May 2011, it was a sad day for our family.

Even so, we rejoiced that God gave us 5 more years than her doctor expected when she was first diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.

We still miss her.

And we treasure the memories we have with her.

She made our family times very special.

From God's mouth both calamities and good things come.

We praise Him for blessing us with so many good things.

No One Is Cast off Forever

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. — Lamentations 3:31

What a relief!

No matter how often I fail Him, God continues to lift me up.

He holds me fast and does not let go.

No one is cast off by the Lord forever.

His Word says this, so I believe it is true.

And it's comforting to be able to rely on God's faithfulness.

Great Is His Unfailing Love

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. — Lamentations 3:32-33

God's love is unfailing. It never ends.

Even though he brings grief our way, He also shows us compassion.

My friend just had a very close friend who died.

That is so hard, and causes such grief and sadness.

God does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

But we live in a sinful world, and grief is part of that.

So is affliction.

Even so, we can say, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord."

So great is His unfailing love.

Today we celebrate Abby's birthday. 

God's love is great.

Sit Alone in Silence

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. — Lamentations 3:27-28

It takes a lot of fortitude to bear the yoke of hardship.

But it is a good thing to experience when we are young.

It is hard to sit alone in silence.

I want to be up and moving, trying to accomplish something.

But God calls me to be still and know that He is Lord.

He asks me to sit alone in silence and bear the yoke He has given me.

Help me to obey You, Lord.

Start Children Off in the Way They Should Go

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. — Proverbs 22:6

Another version of this Bible verse says, "Train up a child."

Both images are great.

They convey training children in God's ways.

And also starting them off on the right foot — in God's Word.

So they begin hiding God's Word in their hearts.

Memorizing Scripture so when they are away from the church, they still hold God's Word in their hearts.

And even when they turn from it completely, they will turn back to God eventually.

Each of my siblings have gradually turned back to God.

And two of them have dedicated their lives to Jesus.

What a comfort that is.

And a constant reminder to pray for our family members and friends.

The Lord Is Good

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. — Lamentations 3:25-26

God is good to those of us who hope in Him.

To those of us who search for Him,

Who do His will and look for His guidance.

He directs our paths.

God helps me wait for Him.

The Lord helps me to be quiet, even in the midst of our busy lives.

He asks me to wait quietly for His salvation.

Salvation through His Son, our Lord Jesus.

Here is the September moon, shining over our neighborhood.

Today is the first day of the new month!