Bear With Each Other

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:13

It's not always easy to put up with each other.

People can be frustrating and grate on our nerves.

Even those in our own families.

But God calls us to forgive others as He has forgiven me.

If I have a grievance against someone, God asks me to be the one to start ironing it out.

He forgave me even when I didn't deserve it.

I can do the same for others, even when it's hard.

God Is Faithful

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9

Today is another beautiful day here in sunny California.

We have lemons galore from our tree now that Kirk cut it back yesterday.

Our neighbor is having his trees cut this morning.

And the birds are singing their hearts out.

This is how our plumeria looked back in September.

It's budding again, but no blooms yet.

God helps me bloom when I confess my sin to Him.

And I am very thankful that He forgives me.

Fellowship With Us

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:3

Today I spoke with a Physician's Assistant at the Kaiser Bone Health Center.

I had just gotten my bone scan results and she called to let me know.

However, she thought perhaps my info had gotten put into the wrong folder, since nothing had really changed since a year ago.

At that time we discovered I have osteopenia, and I had one hip that showed low bone density of -2.3.

Since bones tend to move, that is no longer the lowest - now it's in my spine with the same number.

She suggested in addition to hiking, walking, jumping rope and swimming, I start doing planks and pushups.

So I'm adding those to my routine.

At the end of the call, she wished me a blessed day and asked if she could wish me a Happy Easter.

I said, "Of course! Happy Easter. He is risen."

To which she wished me a blessed Easter.

And that made my day.

We proclaim Jesus, and our fellowship is with Him and His Father.

Show Respect to Others

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. —  1 Peter 2:17

It's not always easy to show proper respect to everyone.

Some people don't seem to deserve our respect.

Even so, God calls me to show respect to everyone, not just those people I respect.

He calls me to respect those I don't feel like respecting.

And those who are not deserving of my respect.

Come to think of it, I'm not deserving of God's mercy toward me.

And I sometimes treat Him without respect.

Even so, He sacrifices for me.

He cares for me and guides me.

And He provides more than I need.

Thank You, Lord.

The People of God

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. — 2 Peter 2:10

At one time I was not a child of God.

I did not belong to the people of God.

But during this time of Lent, I am reminded of God's sacrifice for me, even before I knew Him.

He had mercy on me, and He still does.

I have received His mercy.

I am a child of God.

I belong to the family of God.

And I am thankful.

Live Good Lives

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. — 1 Peter 2:12

It is not easy to live a good life.

God is perfect, but I'm nowhere close.

Even so, God can help me to do good deeds.

And I want to glorify Him in everything I do.

Others may see my good deeds and glorify God, too.

When I am following His will for my life instead of going off in my own direction.

When I am asking Him to direct me.

God's Special Possession

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

God calls us his chosen people.

We are a royal priesthood.

And a holy nation.

He has chosen us as His special possession.

Called to declare His praises.

He has called me out of darkness.

And He has called me into His wonderful light.

The Lord Is Good

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  — 1 Peter 2:2-3

Once we start to follow Jesus as our Savior, we hopefully don't stop there.

Instead, we crave spiritual food and God's Word.

Like a newborn baby, we are only ready for spiritual milk.

When we get a small taste of His goodness, we want more.

We start to crave it.

We want to grow closer to Him so that He can help us grow.

And even though we're still sinners and we fall away, God helps us grow up in our salvation.

Yesterday we had a memorial service for my friend Sheri's mom.

She was an elder in our church and others, and she worked to help people grow in their knowledge of God.

Our hearts go out to Sheri and her family in the unexpected loss of her mom, Elizabeth.

 

Faith Through Love

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. — Galatians 5:6

Today marks the vernal equinox and a change in the seasons.

Jesus' sacrifice marks a change in the seasons of our lives.

I am now a new creature.

The old has passed away; all things have become new.

And now the only thing that counts is faith in Jesus.

Faith expresses itself in love.

Yesterday we said goodbye to one of my colleagues as he moves on to a new job on Monday.

He had shouldered a huge amount of work over the past couple of years.

He is now looking forward to working remotely and perhaps eventually moving to New York.

Now that he and his family are vaccinated, he is looking forward to gathering with them and his grandma this weekend.

A change in the season of his life and of his family, thanks to the vaccine.

We are still waiting for ours.

Kirk got a message that he qualifies, but since he is no longer teaching, that wasn't the case when he went to sign up.

But we know our turn will come.

And we are grateful.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23

God gives us the fruit of the Spirit as we grow in Him.

Love toward friends and neighbors as well as enemies.

Joy in Jesus even when the world gives us sadness and pain.

Peace in Christ during stressful times.

Patience when others are losing their cool.

Kindness when we are being treated unkindly.

Goodness when the world tells us to get revenge.

Faithfulness even when busy lives try to distract us.

Gentleness when our patience is tried.

And self-control when we are tempted to lash out in anger or to lust after temptations.

As Christians, we are called to a higher standard.

And we are guided by God himself.

Filled With Joy and Peace

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

Today God has filled us with joy.

And with a peace that passes understanding.

As we trust Him, we feel joy unending.

And we in turn overflow with hope.

The Holy Spirit blesses us with His power.

And we are filled with joy.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

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

Today we think of wearing green.

Clothing ourselves with shamrocks and rainbows.

But God calls us to clothe ourselves in compassion.

To be kind to others.

To practice humility.

Act with gentleness.

Show patience.

A tall order when we face difficulties and stresses of life.

Raised with Christ

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. — Colossians 3:1

This week we have been praying for my friend Mari and her family.

She has down in Guadalupe visiting relatives.

Her  uncle Rito has been very sick.

He was hospitalized and intubated.

They removed the tube, but he has been suffering from kidney disease.

Then the doctors discovered an infection in his lungs.

Today he died, even after all the care he was getting.

The family is now grieving for his loss. 

Jesus is welcoming him into heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Still, it is hard to lose a loved one.

My prayers continue for Mari and Bogar and the family as they mourn.

Jesus knows their suffering.

Finish What You Started

So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. — 2 Corinthians 8:21 The Message

It's not always easy to finish what we've started.

But in Paul's letter he is encouraging us to do that so our intentions don't grow stale.

And he even encourages us and reminds us that we have what it takes.

God wants us to work shoulder to shoulder with others.

In that way we compliment each other.

My strengths match up with your weaknesses and your strengths cover mine.

Led By the Spirit

 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. — Romans 8:14

Today is Pi Day.

March 14 = 3.14 even though Pi continues to infinity.

So we can say 3/14 at 1:59 is when we'll have our pie.

I picked up a Marie Calendar's coconut pie to celebrate.

We started trying it out last night. Yum! 

We are God's children.

Let by the Spirit of God.

 

God Works for Our Good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28

Today I had a chance to talk with sister Becky.

Her plant-based diet has really reduced her auto-immune issues - what a huge praise from just a year ago.

Later, we went for a walk around our neighborhood.

We took a look at the variety of landscapes and yards.

We saw some homes that were our same model.

Some that had been updated and some that looked just as ours did 35 years ago.

This year Kirk painted our garage door. 

Our friends Mary and Gary gave us the plumeria just to the left of the door.

It seems to love that spot!

We know that God works in all things, in every part of our lives. 

We are grateful.

All Things Created

By Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. — Colossianas 1:16

God tells us that He created all things.

You and me and everything around us.

Yesterday it rained off and on.

Kirk got in a great golf game - solo, since everyone else wimped out, thinking it would be too wet.

He had the whole course to himself.

After one of the rain spells, there was a beautiful rainbow outside my office window.

Reminding me that God created the world and everything in it.

A reminder of God's promises to us.

And a visible covenant with us that He always keeps His promises.

I am so grateful.

To Give His Life

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:45

Wednesday night we recorded our Easter service.

It went really well.

The orchestra sounded wonderful.

Judith and Rodney did a great job conducting.

Adam and Dave were able to really get the sound of the choir to come across complementing the brass, winds and strings.

And Jesse Chang accompanied one of the anthems on the piano.

We sang through our masks, and about 20 of us showed up to sing.

What a joyful noise to the Lord!

Christ As Lord

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

Help us, Lord, to revere you in our hearts.

And to honor Jesus as Lord.

Guide us and give us your wisdom so we can be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks.

Help us to give the reason for the hope that we have.

So we can be respectful of others.

And patient and gentle with them when they just don't comprehend.

Remembering that we were once in that state of mind, too.

And you had mercy on us, even then.

God Has Saved Us

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. — 2 Timothy 1:9

God has saved us.

He calls us to a holy life.

Not because of anything we have done.

But only because of God's own purpose and grace.

Jesus gave us this grace through His death on the cross.

He was with God and was God before the beginning of time.

God has had mercy on us.

We are thankful.

For All Nations

"Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”— Isaiah 56:7

God accepts our offerings when we present the best we have to Him.

He accepts our sacrifices when we bring them with a clean heart.

God's house is a house of prayer.

It is open to people from all nations.

Today Abby braved the pool with no heater, and went for a swim out in Santee. 

The air was only in the mid 60s today.

And the water was so cold, she could only swim for 20 minutes.

I give her credit for swimming at all!

God gave us another beautiful day, and we are thankful.

Today we are praying for Mari's uncle in Mexico who is now intubated in the hospital.

And for Rico's doctors, that God would give them wisdom with his treatments.

And for his family, that God would give them comfort during this difficult time.

Joy in God's House of Prayer

All who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. — Isaiah 56:6-7

Yesterday we worshiped at the service in our church courtyard

Today I went for swim at the Y.

Our church held a jazz service down at Waterfront Park. 

Then Kirk and I went for a 2-mile walk around the neighborhood.

A beautiful day!

Praise the Lord. 

Blessed Is the One Who Keeps the Sabbath

Blessed is the one who does this the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil. — Isaiah 56:2

Today our choir will return to sing for our church service for the first time in months.

The congregation will still be in the courtyard.

So the music will be piped out for them to hear.

And the service will be available online on Sunday.

On Thursday we'll record our Easter service.

We are trying to hold the Sabbath fast, whether we celebrate it on Saturday or Sunday.

Do What Is Right

Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. — Isaiah 56:1

Tonight we watched the final episode of WandaVision.

Abby and I went to Starbucks and ordered a WandaVision Frappuccino from their secret menu.

Fortunately, Abby brought the recipe so we could read it to the barista.

I asked them not to mix in the strawberry so it would show on the side of the cup.

They did a great job.

Kirk and I tried this one before I got the photo taken.

Then I managed to finish it off.

 

Turn to the Lord

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts, let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. — Isaiah 55:7

God calls us to turn to Him.

He will have mercy on us, when we turn our lives over to Him.

He freely pardons us.

Today Abby got her first covid-19 shot

She went up to UCSD and was in and out in 30 minutes!

Including 15 minutes to wait and be observed.

And they already scheduled her next vaccine for the end of the month.

The healthcare workers told her they had already seen about 5000 people that day at the RIMAC center alone. 

The best part was that it had rained here, and she saw a rainbow on her way home!

Since she works both at Millennial Tech Middle with students on Zoom and at City Tree Christian with students in person, it is a relief to know that she is inoculated.

We are grateful.

The Heavens Are Higher Than the Earth

“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

Today is my brother Tim's birthday. 

Wishing him a wonderful day and the start of a beautiful year ahead.

God's thoughts and ways are much higher and wiser than mine.

I can't even imagine.

His thoughts are not mine.

His ways are not mine.

Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so God's ways are in every way better, more righteous, and more glorious than anything we can imagine.

He Knows the Way I Take

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.— Job 23:10-11

Welcome, March!

Last night we had choir in person.

Socially distanced and wearing masks.

Really fun to be back singing together.

Working on music for Good Friday and Easter.

On Saturday we will sing for our service for the first time in about a year.

And Abby will get her first vaccine this week.

Praise God for His goodness.

He cares for us in many ways.

God knows the way that we take.

We are grateful.

The Spirit Gives us Power

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. — 2 Timothy 1:7

God gives us His Spirit through Jesus.

The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid.

The Spirit gives us power.

The power of Jesus.

And God's Spirit give us His love.

And the Spirit gives us the self-discipline to obey God.

Yesterday we hiked down to the Mission Dam.

Sheri led a wonderful Bible study on our back patio.

Then we walked up to Tuxedo Park. 

God guides us so we don't have to be timid.