Renewal of Your Strength

You would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. — Isaiah 57:10

While Kirk and Ernie were in Iowa, they visited the cemetery outside Spencer.

They found Rita and Gary's headstones.

They found the Rogers and also the Kindlespires.

The put flowers and flags on the headstones.

A nice remembrance.

And a beautiful day to be outside.

Some of the other days were too hot and humid to be outside for long.

And the bugs came out in force.

We are glad to be here in San Diego.

Still, it's a beautiful place to visit.

 

They Find Rest

 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. — Isaiah 57:6

Today Kirk flies back home after his trip.

They got into Akron about 10:00 last night so he will be exhausted.

Ernie will drive him to the Cleveland airport, over an hour away.

But what great memories they have!

The weather was muggy.

The bugs were out in force.

But the lake was as inviting as ever.

The Myrtle Will Grow

Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever. — Isaiah 54:13

After visiting family in Lincoln on Tuesday, Kirk and Ernie drove on to Millford, Iowa.

And they visited Carroll's Bakery in Spencer.

Kirk's mom and dad rented the apartment above it when they were first married.

Gary delivered bread for them.

Kirk met the current bakery owners, who have been there for 31 years.

They are ready to retire next year and are trying to sell it.

But they have not had any takers so far.

Even at $330,000.

Such a deal.

Here's a photo of Gary with the guys on their road trip back to Iowa.

A House of Prayer

For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. — Isaiah 56:11

Yesterday, Kirk spent time in Lincoln, Nebraska.

He visited his cousin Cindy - her birthday is just a few days away from Kirk's.

And he spent time with Uncle Bob and Aunt Doris.

They will celebrate 71 years of marriage this year.

Uncle Bob kept them laughing with his jokes.

And he reminisced about World War II.

As a retired history teacher, Kirk loved hearing the stories Bob shared.

And as a retired marine, Ernie enjoyed them, too. 

They also met the family dog who Cindy adopted several years ago.

Of course her past dogs are adorning the walls of their place.

Bob and Doris have adopted them as their kids.

What a fun day!

Go Out in Joy

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. — Isaiah 55:12

The mountains will burst into song.

The hills will break forth into singing.

The trees of the field will clap their hands.

We will go out in joy.

God will lead us forward in peace.

Kirk and Ernie made it to Dodge City Kansas yesterday.

Just in time for dinner!

They are having a great time.

Today they will see cousin Cindy, Aunt Doris and Uncle Bob.

Kirk is very excited.

As the Rain Comes Down from Heaven

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish  so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. — Isaiah 55:10

As the rain comes down from heaven, watering the earth.

The water makes the ground bud and flourish.

As a result, the earth yields seed for the sower and bread for those who eat.

So God's Word goes out from His mouth.

It does not return to Him empty.

Yesterday it rained at our house.

It was also raining in Phoenix, when Ernie drove in.

Cool, refreshing rain.

My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. — Isaiah 55:8

God's thoughts are not mine.

His ways are not mine.

Thank goodness.

He is the Lord of heaven and earth.

He is our God and we praise Him.

 

Call on the Lord

 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. — Isaiah 55:6

God asks us to seek Him.

To look for Him in His Word and in His creation.

He commands us to pray to Him.

To call on Him day and night.

And to pray without ceasing.

Unfailing Love

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. — Isaiah 54:10

God's unfailing love for us will not be shaken.

The Lord's covenant of peace will not be removed

God has compassion on me.

He is the stable rock even when the mountains shake.

Even when the hills are removed.

His love will not be removed from us.

I will Have Compassion on You

With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer. — Isaiah 54:8

The Lord has compassion on us.

His kindness reaches to the farthest corner of the earth.

His radiance shines through the darkest night.

The Lord God is my Redeemer.

Today is Pi approximation day, 22/7.

We celebrated my colleagues' birthdays with a potluck.

I made pound cake and scones for Krista's birthday tomorrow.

One big celebration all week long!

The Way of Faithfulness

 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. — Isaiah 119:20

God is the way of faithfulness.

His laws guide my life.

His Word is true and right.

He knows what's best for me.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness.

I have set my heart on God's laws.

He is the light to my path. 

Here's the Plumeria plant that we got from Mary and Gary.

A great example of God's creation.

 

 I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. — Isaiah 41:9b

God has chosen me.

He has called me by name.

I am His, and He has not rejected me, in spite of my sin.

I keep missing the mark, but He keeps hanging on to me, correcting me, and bringing me back to His side.

Here is the view from our room in Palm Desert.

This is the golf course where Kirk golfed during our stay.

Even at 6:00 a.m., it was already 90º outside.

As one of our friends mentioned, this beautiful scenery reminds us of God's presence.

It is comforting to know that He is with us wherever we go.

He has chosen us!

You Are My Servant

 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant.’ — Isaiah 41:9

God called me from the ends of the earth.

He took me from the farthest corners of the world.

He sought me out and calls me His child.

While we were in Palm Desert, Kirk got water behind his ears.

He couldn't hear a thing, poor guy.

Today he went to the nurses' clinic and now  he can hear again, good as new!

God washes us good as new in the blood of Jesus.

His great mercy washes over me.

I am blessed to be called His servant.

I Am With You

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10

Today we returned from a week in Palm Desert.

It was hot, but we stayed cool in the pools and the air conditioning.

Here's a group photo of some of the families who we were with.

We had some great conversation and lots of laughs.

We cooked dinners two nights, and they were a hit.

We had a chance to talk about our faith and our blessings.

And how we can trust in the Lord, even when our future seems uncertain.

So do not fear, for God is with us.

He is our God.

He will strengthen and help us.

The Lord will hold us up with his strong right hand. 

We are grateful.

Working With You

 We work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. — 1 Corinthians 1:24

God gives us great joy.

Even in sorrow, His joy overcomes our tears.

You can see the joy of Jesus reflected in our faces.

We work with other Christians for God, giving Him the glory.

We stand on His promises.

And God gives us the strength to stand firm.

He Set His Seal of Ownership On Us

He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. — 1 Corinthians 1:22

God anointed us.

He anointed me as His daughter.

He set his seal of ownership on me.

The Lord put His Spirit in my heart.

He gave me His Spirit as a deposit —

Just a hint of what's to come.

Guaranteeing my place in His kingdom.

Through the sacrifice of His Son.

Yesterday Kirk went to the Padres game with his friends, and they won!

Abby got the shirt at the Padres game she went to last week.

Lookin' good!

God Comforts Us

God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  — 2 Corinthians 1:4

Today we heard that our former neighbor passed away last week.

He and his wife had celebrated 67 years of marriage.

And Ralph had just turned 90.

We were blessed to know him and to have him and Wanda as our neighbors. 

We miss them.

God comforts us in all our troubles.

He does that so that we in turn can comfort others.

He gives us His strength so that we can pass it on to others.

God Has Anointed Us

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts, — 1 Corinthians 1:21-22

God anointed us.

He set his seal of ownership on us.

He put his Spirit in our hearts.

God makes us stand firm in Christ.

And we are blessed that he has given us each other to be a family.

Fourth of July

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. — Matthew 24:25 

For the celebration of our country's birthday, Abby made this delicious vanilla cake.

Kirk smoked pork tenderloin — it was delicious and juicy.

Later at night we walked down to the harbor for fireworks. 

The fireworks were beautiful.

On our walk back, we ran into Rebecca and her son Jeremiah.

A wonderful day and a reminder of God's care for us.

Heaven and earth will pass away one day.

God's Words will never pass away.

God the Father of Compassion

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to God.

He is our Father and Lord.

The Father of compassion — He has compassion on me.

And He comforts me when I get discouraged.

In all my troubles He is right here beside me, lifting me up with His strong right arm.

As we move into July, He has guided us through the first half of this year 2021.

And He will continue to guide us  for the months and years to come.

Let My Conversation Be Full of Grace

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Colossians 4:6

Yesterday marked the first day of July.

Today Kirk and I met for lunch — a welcome break from my usual work day.

Tonight we are looking at possible restaurants at Caesars Palace to see where we might want to eat when we travel with our 14 friends.

Monday we'll call to see if they recommend making reservations for 16 people or for two tables of 8.

In the meantime, we'll enjoy the weekend and perhaps Abby and I will go for a swim tomorrow.

Lord, help us season our words with salt. 

Let my conversations be full of grace.

Give me the wisdom to answer everyone who asks about You.

We've been enjoying the great weather! 

Thank You, Lord.

 

Be Wise in the Way You Act

 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. — Colossians 4:5

It's easy to slip into grumbling and complaining.

Especially when those around me are doing the same.

But God call us to be wise.

Even in the way we act and speak.

Especially when we are with outsiders.

God commands us to make the most of every opportunity.

He asks us to let Him guide our ways.