Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. — Colossians 4:6
At times it gets downright salty.
But not in a good way.
God tells us that when I speak with grace, I will know how to respond to each person.
And He encourages me to always speak with grace.
Seasoned with enough salt to taste good.
To leave a good taste in the mouths of others.
Help, me, Lord!
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. — Colossians 4:5
We're reading The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
I also read her books, The Nightingale and Firefly Lane.
I think this was my favorite so far, even though it was sad.
It took place during the dust bowl.
And it traced the lives of a family who had to move from Texas to California to pick strawberries and cotton.
They became indebted to the company store.
And they were called dirty Oakies by the people who had moved to California years before.
Even so, they treated others with kindness and respect.
With wisdom toward outsiders.
That's what God asks me to do, too.
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15
Most of my friends and coworkers have had at least one.
Some are scheduled to have their first very soon.
I see this as a sign of spreading love to our neighbors.
Not only does the vaccine protect me, it also protects those who are vulnerable or who cannot get the vaccine due to health issues.
I am hopeful that we can have an 80% participation rate to protect those around us.
And to prevent the spread of even worse variants that are now infecting those who have no protection.
Speaking the truth in love by our actions, to show our neighbors that we care for them.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. — Colossians 3:16
Our Bible study theme was "bloom where you are planted."
And Josie took this picture of the finished pots.
They really turned out beautiful.
And each one is unique.
Just as God's creation shows His beauty and glory.
We praise Him with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. — Colossians 4:2
I'm better at talking with Him throughout the day.
We decided that these are areas we both need to work on.
I need to spend larger amounts of time alone devoted to prayer.
She needs to remember to pray throughout her day.
Both of us are growing in our prayer lives.
And learning to do His will.
Beginning to devote ourselves to prayer.
Keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Help us, Lord, to follow You.
Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. — 1 Peter 1:18-19
Jesus had no blemish - He was spotlesss.
The perfect sacrifice in our place.
His blood shed once and for always for me.
Iwas not redeemed with things of this world.
Those things will pass away, but the love of Jesus will last forever.
Thank You, Lord.
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. — 1 Corinthians 15:58
And his brothers and sisters.
He wrote this letter to encourage us in the Lord.
And to admonish us to do better.
To get to know God.
And to always excel in His work.
Knowing that we do not labor in vain.
Working for the Lord is what God calls us to do.
Today one of my coworkers celebrated a milestone birthday.
So I made a banner and we filled her office with balloons and leis.
She was so thrilled, she stopped by to thank us and then sent an email.
God calls us to encourage and uplift each other.
So glad she felt that we did.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 15:57
The Meyer lemons it produces are huge!
When our friends gave it to us in 2018, it took quite some time before it produced much fruit.
Then our water pipe broke and it went to town.
And now it's overflowing with lemons the size of oranges.
Thanks be to God, who give us the victory.
Giving us new life, just as the water gave new life to our lemon bush.
New life in Jesus our Lord.
Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. — 1 Corinthians 15:55-56
She was adorable and wouldn't stop laughing and smiling.
"How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy she brings.
But sweeter still the strong assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow."
Death is no longer victorious.
It no longer has such a strong sting.
The sting of death is sin.
And the power of sin is the Law.
And Jesus has overcome death and sin.
Praise God!
For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-21
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Praise God for His goodness and provision.
I think this is a record for the company, to have filled the position less than two weeks after our previous person left.
Of course, she won't be able to start until May 10, which will put it at 30 days.
To God be the glory for sending just the right person our way.
And we will have another opening in our department in the next few weeks, so we are continuing the interview process.
Fortunately, I will most likely not have to supervise that person.
Four writers is plenty for me right now.
But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-21
He told the family he was ready to see his Lord.
Fortunately, Mel had been back to visit him several times over the past year.
They will have a memorial celebration for him in July.
And the family will fly back to Iowa at that time.
Today They were all worshiping at church together.
In Christ we all will be made alive.
Praise God!
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:18
When we arrived at Cedar Falls trailhead, we all headed for the bathrooms before the hike.
As I emerged, a girl was approaching our group, saying she was looking for Carol's group.
Kellie started to worry because she didn't have Yolanda's name on the permit she had gotten.
But it turned out Yolanda was not someone I knew.
Her group was a church group of ladies, too.
We saw them again at the falls.
And again on our way back to the parking lot as we thanked God for the beautiful day.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Colossians 4:6
We drove out to Ramona, about 40 minutes away.
Then we hiked for about 6 miles down to Cedar Falls waterfall.
Some people were climbing up to the top of the rocks and jumping into the pool below.
After sitting awhile at the falls, we started hiking back up to the top.
Fortunately, there was a slight breeze on the way up.
We also ran into a swarm of bees.
But no one got stung.
We had a beautiful day hiking.
God's glory surrounded us.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. — Colossians 4:5
We were all very impressed.
She and I hit it off, and we both think we would enjoy working together.
I called her to make an offer, and she was very excited.
We'll see if she will accept the offer next week.
If so, she will be available to start in May, as long as her background check goes through.
It will be one of our quickest hires ever for this company.
I am praying for God's will to be done.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. — Colossians 4:2
We had about 90 people, which was really exciting.
Most of us had not been together in one place in over a year.
What a blessing to worship together and sing God's praise.
Our modern worship team combined with our choir section leaders.
The music was wonderful.
Abby and her friend led the children in Kids Worship, leaving before the sermon.
Dave did the tech, arriving early the day after his wife's memorial service.
We celebrated communion together.And people could still join us on livestream.
We are thankful.
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. — Colossians 4:3
If so, it would be at stage 0.
So hopefully she would need just radiation, no chemo.
We are praying that everything will be clear.
She will have a biopsy to confirm.
I know what an unsettling time this can be, not knowing.
Praying for God's comfort and peace for her and her family.
Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. — John 5:25
Today we celebrated the life of Kathie Jones.
She was a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, sister and daughter.
It was a beautiful tribute to her life and her love of Jesus.
We saw lots of people who we had not seen in a year or more.
It felt like a reunion as well as a memorial service.
What a huge blessing.
Praise the Lord!
Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. — John 5:25
Finally!
Kirk goes to Albertsons and I go to UCSD.
Hopefully we will not have the symptoms Abby had — fever, chills, and nausea.
Easter reminds us that the Son of God has overcome death.
When we put our faith in Jesus, we hear His voice.
The time has come when the dead will hear His voice and will live.
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. — John 5:24
Easter reminds us that when we believe in Jesus, we have everlasting life.
Because Jesus lives, we will live with Him again one day.
He has crossed over from death to life.
That gives us hope that one day we can do the same.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. — John 5:21
Mary and Gary brought us a couple of beautiful plumeria plants.
I made a charcuterie board.
And both couples brought appetizers.
So we could graze, enjoy some wine together, and catch up.
It was a fun evening of reminiscing and laughing together.
Good food and good friends.
The Father raises the dead and gives them life.
The Son gives life to those he is pleased t give
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. — John 5:20
He has adopted us into His family, and He is our Father, too.
Here's the bouquet Abby put together for us to celebrate Easter.
It was beautiful.
What a thoughtful gift.
God will show us even greater works than these.
We are amazed.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Colossians 3:13
Hiking Mission Trails early in the morning.
And having another group of friend over in the afternoon for charcuterie and carrot cake and wine.
Sunday we will go to our Easter sunrise service at Waterfront Park down by the bay.
Our orchestra will play the hymns and our choir will join in the singing.
Kirk and I will serve communion.
It will be a sunny Easter day.
Some of our older family friends will not be able to join us tomorrow, since we have not all be vaccinated, but our other family members will come over for ham.
We are blessed.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. — Colossians 3:16
We love singing psalms and songs from the Spirit.
God has given us the voice to sing his praise.
Through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.
Singing to God with gratitude in our hearts.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.
With all wisdom as we teach and admonish one another.
The sunflower is a great example of God's love shining on us.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. — Colossians 3:15
And then her husband passed away after months of ill health.
Our hearts go out to Bonnie in the loss of her husband.
Our prayer is that the peace of Christ will rule in her heart.
Even (or especially) when we go through tough times, God fills us with His peace.
As members of His body, the church, we are called to peace.
And we are thankful to Him for providing peace and surrounding us with it.
It's April Fools' Day, but we are thankful.
