Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. — Colossians 3:16 NLT
When we remember our fallen military men and women who have sacrificed their lives, for us.
We raise our thankful hearts to God.
Thanking Him for this country we live in.
For the freedoms we have because others died.
For blessing us more than we could ever imagine.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. — Colossians 3:16 NLT
And richness.
He wants us to let Christ's message fill our lives.
So our lives in turn can be a place that glorifies him.
When happens, it helps to have a wise counselor nearby.
God commands us to teach and counsel each other.
Not with our own wisdom, but with the wisdom that God alone can give.
And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. — Romans 15:14
Full of goodness.
Filled with knowledge.
Walking in the light of God's love.
Able to admonish me and others in love.
And I appreciate that kind of friend very much.
I feel that God has sent them into our lives for a special purpose.
And they have walked with me through my journey with cancer.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13
He fills me with joy and peace, even when I'm stressed or anxious.
His deep peace passes all understanding.
He fills me with His peace in believing.
He fills me with His Holy Spirit.
So that I can about in hope.
Not on my own, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God. — Romans 15:7
Especially when we have strong and differing opinions.
Acceptance even in strained relationships can be difficult at best.
Sometimes it can seem impossible.
Even when we cannot accept someone, God can use us to accept them.
Really? Yes.
The Holy Spirit can work in me to show kindness and acceptance even when I'm ready to strike out against someone.
God can use me even when I'm not feeling it.
Fortunately, He is greater than me.
Christ accepted me while I was dirty, sinful, and unacceptable in human eyes.
He did that for the glory of God.
May God have all of the glory and praise.
Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him. — Romans 15:11
He is our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer.
His Word commands us to praise Him day and night.
Let all the peoples praise Him.
For all of the marvelous things He has done and will continue to do in our lives.
Praise the Lord!
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus. — Romans 15:5
He give us encouragement when we don't think we're up to the task.
He knows our thoughts.
The Lord can help us to be of the same mind with one another.
Through Christ Jesus, anything is possible.
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. — Romans 15:4
They are written for our instruction.
God's Word is living and active.
Each time I read it He has something new to show me.
At the moment I'm reading the wisdom of Proverbs.
Through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we have hope.
Today we discovered that Kirk's classmate and former neighbor Scott died in March.
He named one of his sons Kirk, after his good friend, my husband.
Scott served as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, and lived in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
He was a firefighter and taught fire science.
We saw him at his 40th high school reunion a few years ago and had a chance to reconnect.
They will hold a memorial service for him at Fort Rosecrans sometime in the future.
We hope to be able to attend.
Our hears go out to Scott's family in their loss.
Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. — Romans 15:2
But that's just what God commands us to do.
Each of us is to please his neighbor.
Even when our neighbor is difficult to get along with.
God asks us to think of the good of our neighbors.
To do things that will edify them.
To put others before ourselves.
That's easier said than done.
Only with God's help can we reach out in kindness to others.
And almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.— Hebrews 9:22
So Jesus died for our sins.
He shed His blood for our salvation.
To cleanse us from sin.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
We are forgiven in Jesus.
And because of His sacrifice.
How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? — Hebrews 9:14
He had no sin, no blemish.
He was perfect.
And He offered Himself for me.
His blood cleansed me from death.
As a result, I'm alive to serve the living God.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. — Hebrews 9:11
He took the punihsment that we deserved.
He became our mediator between God and us.
He bridges the gap between God's
holiness and my sin.
Here is the waterfall we hiked to last month.
Last weekend my coworker hiked here and the water was down to a trickle.
When he and his wife arrived, there were only a few other people there.
But there were several king snakes swimming in the water.
So glad we missed them.
Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. — Hebrews 8:1
He sits on the right hand of God the Father.
Who reigns in heaven.
The majesty of our Lord.
From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
His kingdom shall have no end.
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints. — Hebrews 6:10
He is merciful and gracious.
He does not forget good works.
He takes note when we serve others.
And He loves us even when we fumble and disappoint.
He calls us to serve others.
And to show love toward His name.
Words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him. — Ecclesiastes 10:12
Words can also uplift and encourage.
Words from the mouth of wise person are gracious.
Help me, Lord, to keep my words gracious and helpful.
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God. — Romans 15:15
He is not afraid to tell us like it is.
Even when the truth may be hard to hear.
That's what a good friend does.
Supports us when we need it.
And confronts us when we need to hear constructive criticism.
Our Christian friends do this with grace.
Not of their own making, but with the grace that comes from God.
Just as you do not know the path of the wind, and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes everything. — Ecclesiastes 11:15
Or how bones are formed in a baby growing inside it's mother's womb.
I cannot comprehend the activity and love of God.
He makes everything, yet He even cares for me.
And He cares for the smallest bird.
This beautiful bird let us get up really close today before he decided to fly away.
God creates everything with love and care.
For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made. — Psalm 139:13
You have made me, and you created me from the inside out.
You knew before I was even born.
I am wonderfully made.
This plant is also wonderfully made.
And God planned out each day of my life.
And You care for me, Lord.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. — Proverbs 31:30
It brought tears to my eyes.
He wanted to let me know that he saw me as a Proverbs 31 woman.
How special is that.
Our mom was a great example of a woman who fears the Lord.
She was a Proverbs 31 woman.
Her children rise up and call her blessed.
We remember her with love.
So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom. — Matthew 18:4
And whoever would be least among you. He shall be Lord of all.
Whoever will humble himself like a child, he will be the greatest in the kingdom of God.
Our flowers are blooming with the advent of rain.
Even a small bit has been a big help.
Along with Kirk's hard work and fertilizer.
God asks us to grow our relationship with Him so we can grow and blossom, too.
Help me start today, Lord.
Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. — Matthew 18:3
We are joyful in His presence.
We eagerly listen to the things He tells us.
As an adult, that joy becomes jaded.
Our beliefs turn into doubt.
But God loves us just the same.
Yesterday was Mother's Day, and my family was very lovingly supportive of me.
When we change and become like children, God welcomes us into the king of heaven.
We are grateful.
Constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, His choice of you. — 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Even those who are our enemies.
That's not something we can do on our own.
It takes God's love working through us.
And His Holy Spirit loving those who are unlovable to us.
It starts with me being able to pray for my enemies, even when I disagree or they make me mad.
I came home from church to this beautiful bouquet from my daughter.
She has a gift for flower arranging.
And I am a blessed mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers. — 1 Thessalonians 1:2
It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.
Partway through, we came to this tree.
Suzy had to hang from it while we got a picture.
Then we all stood near it for a group photo.
The flowers were blooming and the sky was blue.
The day started out overcast so it didn't get too hot.
We always give thanks to God for friends, including hiking buddies!
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. — Colossians 4:2
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| Apple Blossoms |
And this essay is an excerpt adapted from a new book, "The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in a Age of Chaos."
I'm lookingforward to reading it.
The essay was a perceptive look at how we've moved away from spending time with God.
Instead, we fill our days with busy-ness.
No wonder we have such high rates of divorce, alcoholism, drug abuse, and dysfunctional families.
We've taken our eyes off the eternal.
Everything passes away except God.
And the Sabbath is a guarantor of our "inner liberty."
While rest-less, Sabbath-less societies could easily descend into tyranny and barbarism.
Hitler and Mao did turned their focus away from God and having a Sabbath rest.
Instead, they turned the focus of their societies onto themselves.
Two examples of societies descending into tyranny and barbarism.
Lord, help us to devote ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in an attitude of thanksgiving to You.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be withgrace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. — Colossians 3:5-6
We are excited to welcome her on board.
We want to make the most of every opportunity.
As though seasoned with salt.
So we can respond to each person in love.
Thanks be to God.Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. — James 5:16
One year I attended our local prayer breakfast with others from my company.
At that time I worked for Christian Ed Publishers.
The owner, Art Miley bought a table or two so several of us could attend.
The speakers were excellent, and I was impressed.
What an amazing thing, to have a national day of prayer.
God calls us to pray for each other.
To carry each other's burdens.
To gather and pray for our friends and neighbors.
And He tells us that He listens and answers.
Thank You, Lord!
And My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14
Across our nation, people will gather to pray for our country.
Our church will hold a prayer service to join in that time of prayer.
God tells us that if we pray, He will forgive our sin.
And if we turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our land.
What a merciful God we serve!
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
We are to grow up in Christ.
Since He is the head.
And to grow up in all aspects of our lives.
And part of growing up is learning how to speak the truth in love
Rather than out of malice or anger.
Exhibiting beauty on the inside and out.
The beauty of Jesus shining through our lives.
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. — Ephesians 4:13
Our rose bushes were just buds a week ago.
Today they're bursting with blossoms.
Just in time for May Day!
And for Becky's birthday.
And Sheri's.
It rained a couple of days ago and now the blossoms are opening.
God's beautiful creation, reminding us that he helps us grow in faith.
Until we all reach unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.
And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; — Ephesians 4:11-12
She is joining our church and met with our elders yesterday to confirm that she wants to follow Jesus.
She mentioned how blessed she's been by our times together.
And I've felt the same.
God has brought us together to pray for each other and to share our burdens and blessings.
We are both cancer survivors, and we often feel nervous about what that means for our futures.
She went through chemo 10 years ago.
Mine was two years ago.
We have both learned to trust in God and put our lives in His hands.
We are still learning to be anxious about nothing.
In three weeks, her youngest son will be baptized.
Thank you, Lord!
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling. — Ephesians 4:6
We enjoyed champagne along with finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts.
Plus lots of tea and clotted cream!
A very fun afternoon.
We reminisced about when we had been there last for tea, years ago.
At that time we went with my mom, Kirk,'s mom, Abby's cousin and my sister-in-law Liz.
That was a fun day, too.
Do glad my daughter remembered and suggested we do it again in 2021!
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. — Ephesians 4:7
We slept in today, but I'm feeling great.
A slightly sore arm, and I keep rubbing it to help the vaccine move through my body.
Kirk isn't up yet, so we'll see how he's doing.
Hopefully just as well as I am.
We are thankful for those who volunteered to give it to us
As well as for those who made it possible to have it available so quickly.
Happy May Day!
We give God the glory.
