If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. — Matthew 5:41-42
We put up our fall wreath and the weather cooled down just a bit.
Welcome, fall!
God calls us to give to those who ask.
To face the one who wants to borrow, not to turn from them.
To walk by their side.
To go with them along the road.
Just as Jesus carries our burdens.
And walks alongside me.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. — Matthew 6:33
She had to have a section removed from her nose.
And another part of skin from her forehead was used to replace it.
My coworker has a friend who is going through her fifth chemo treatment and is now very sick.
It's hard to see other people suffer.
Life isn't fair.
But God holds us in the palm of His hand.
When we seek His kingdom, He adds all His blessings to us.
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. — Matthew 5:42
There is no limit to what He gives to me.
He provides everything I need.
And He asks me to turn it back over to him instead of holding it to myself.
That is not easy to do.
The needs of the world are overwhelming.
I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. — 2 Corinthians 6:18
Since I missed it, here is a photo of Abby and me.
We went to the Westgate for a Mother's Day tea.
And one of the workers there took our photo on the stairs.
A very fun afternoon and a Mother-Daughter time together.
God is our Father.
We are his sons and daughters.
The Lord Almighty calls us His.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. — Micah 5:4
He watches over us and cares for us.
He never sleeps - He sees everything we do.
And He is near to guide us through the rocky places
And to carry us over the ravines and streams.
All the while He gives us just what we need
And much more.
He likes variety in His creation.
Here's Kirk kneeling beside his mom and dad's tombstone.
He took them flowers.
Here's a photo of their gravesite.
Kirk visited there this summer.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. — Psalm 139:4
He knows what I'm panning to say and even what I'm thinking.
Most importantly, He knows my heart.
And He loves me unconditionally.
He goes before me to prepare a place for me in heaven.
Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father, God.
Before a word is on my tongue, God knows it completely.
The Lord watches over me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. — Psalm 139:2
He knows when I sit and when I get up.
The Lord perceives my thoughts.
He knows my prayers before I even think of what to say.
And He already knows what's best for me.
HIs rainbow promise reminds me that He cares for me.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! — Psalm 8:9
One for a couple from our church - Rick died in 2020 and Phyllis in May of 2021.
A beautiful tribute to them as a couple.
The second service was for the dad of Kirk's high school friends, Ian and Pete.
Ian flew out from Arkansas with his friends.
Pete was the surgeon who operated on Gary's hip.
Their dad was a doctor, too.
He also played the organ and was president of the Spreckels Organ Society at one time.
We got a chance to see lots of friends at both services.
And to thank God for their lives.
O Lord, how majestic is Your name!
All flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. — Psalm 8:-8
All the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky.
He created you and me.
The clouds in the sky and the sunsets.
Here's the view from Steve and Miki's back yard.
Nice!
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. — Psalm 8:5
We went to dinner with Steve and Miki at Nicolosi's.
A fun evening watching the sunset together.
Eating delicious Italian food.
And laughing together.
Steve still has a healthy appetite.
It's been a long time since we saw each other.
And even longer since we've had dinner together.
At least a year since we've spent time with Miki.
Happy Birthday, Steve!
You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet. — Psalm 8:6
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? — Psalm 8:3-4
We also saw Need to Breathe.
What a fun evening together.
And it was only ten minutes from our house.
Praising God through music.
Our Creator!
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2
He is the source of my strength and my strong right arm.
The Lord guides me through each day.
He blesses my steps and directs me in the right path.
My help comes from Him.
He is the maker of heaven and also of earth.
Here is a view of God's green earth from Tecolote Canyon.
All things bright and beautiful.
All creatures great and small.
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.
This was one of the hymns we sang .
It was a wonderful evening of music.
Today on 9/11 we remember those who gave their lives on that day 20 years ago.
We pray for their families and coworkers who lost those dear people on that tragic day.
https://livestream.com/fpcsd/events/9841958/videos/225805563
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 1:12
And Kirk golfed another 83!
Very impressive.
He also trimmed our Crape Myrtle tree and got a lot of yardwork done.
Abby went to the Padres game and cheered them on to victory!
Also very impressive.
And a fun evening.
What we hear from God in His Word, we keep as the pattern of sound teaching.
WIth faith and love in Christ Jesus.
It [Grace] has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. — 2 Timothy 1:10
Yesterday I hiked Mission Trails with friends.
Kirk and Abby went to the beach.
Then Kirk barbecued hot dogs and we sat outside and enjoyed them with a delicious Rose one of our friends gave us.
A beautiful evening.
This is the sunset we saw on Saturday at Mission Beach.
Our Savior Jesus has destroyed death.
He has brought life and immortality to us through the gospel.
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
He has called us to a holy life.
We cannot achieve that by our own power.
But only by his own purpose, because of His grace.
His grace was given to us in His Son, Jesus, before the beginning of time.
We are blessed.
And thankful to God that He provides work for us to do.
Wishing you a happy Labor Day!
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline — 2 Timothy 2:7
We headed down to Mission Beach to Tower 23 and the restaurant JRDN.
After dinner we walked along the boardwalk and watched the sun set.
A beautiful evening together.
God gave us the Spirit of power.
So that we can love others and show self-discipline.
His power does not make us timid, but give us power.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. — 2 Timothy 1:2
We'll walk the Visitor's Center Loop and then head down to the dam and back, about 4 miles.
We are planning to start early to avoid the crowds and the heat.
Here's a photo I took last time we went there together.
Usually we go about 3 miles, so this one will be a bit longer, if we're up for it.
Next month Jen will move to Texas.
She sold her house nearby in just two days.
Her company is located in San Antonio so she is considering getting a new home near there.
It will be fun to catch up and hear about her new plans, once her daughter goes off to college.
Grace, mercy and peace from God to you.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. — 2 Timothy 1:5
We pass it every time we go to Fashion Valley or to the movies.
Of course, we've only been to the movies once in the past year!
But it looked like a fun place to try, and it was.
We got there in time for happy hour.
It was very busy and very loud.
And we had a fun time trying their salsa and tacos.
We tried to get a table outside, but they were all reserved.
So we sat inside, just behind the center pole in this photo.
Now that we're both working, it was fun to relax together after work and catch up.
I am reminded of our common faith, which first lived in our grandmothers and in my mother and Kirk's, and now lives in my daughter.
God is good.
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. — 2 Timothy 1:3
The start of a new month and fall is almost upon us.
You would never know by the heat we've been having lately.
San Diego tends to be hot in September and October, just in time for students to go back to school.
We have had lots of answers to prayer this week.
My friend who has four kids was able to find a new place to live.
Her friends helped her move in - they organized their youth group to help her get her things from her old house to her new.
It's quite a bit farther away, but it was affordable and had room for them all.
She had been looking for the last two months so we are praising God for providing.
Nigh and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
