The Lord Our God Is One

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. — Deuteronomy 6:4

Kirk is teaching a class on the Ten Commandments.

And I'm in a Bible study reading through Exodus.

This verse reminds me of God's commands.

He gives us the law to point out our sinfulness.

And He sent His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.

To dig us out of the hole we've dug ourselves into.

As our pastor said on Sunday, no self-help book is able to get us out — it's just too deep.

And we are mired in our own filth.

But God has prepared a way to help us out and to give us a path to live with Him forever.

We are thankful that He cares for us so deeply.

I am grateful.

Praise the Lord!

 

Worship the Father in Truth

A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. — John 4:23 

On Sunday, we had a fun bluegrass music service of worship at our church.

Afterward, we had a mini-concert in our courtyard with banjo, guitar, mandolin, cajon, and harmonium.

The children were dancing around the courtyard — and so were some of the adults!

This is just a photo, not a link.

But the livestream version of the service is available at https://www.fpcsd.org

The true worshipers will worship God the Father in Spirit.

We worship Him in truth.

This is the kind of worship God requires of us.

The Lord Is Our Fortress

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. — Psalm 46:7 

God is with us.

He promises to never leave us.

He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The God of Jacob is our strong rock.

He is our fortress.

God is the Lord, Almighty.

He is with us always.

Anyone Who Wants to Be First Must Best the Servant of All

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” — Mark 9:35

Jesus tells us that whoever wants to be first must be last.

The person who wants to be first must be the servant of all.

Jesus gives us the example of serving others.

He was a servant leader.

After calling the twelve disciples, He gave them instructions about how to live.

We can read those instructions in the Bible.

The Holy Spirit works to convict us when we go astray.

Power Belongs to God

Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love. — Psalm 62:12

God is all powerful.

He is a God of love.

Unfailing love.

Love that never ends.

Tomorrow I'm singing for a memorial service.

Our friend Ann died last month after suffering from dementia for the past 4 years.

She was only 72. The day of her service would have been her 73rd birthday.

She had served as chair of our school board.

And she taught for 36 years at our neighborhood elementary school.

Our hearts go out to her husband Tim.

The song I'm singing includes these words:

"I love You more than any other, so much more than anything.

You alone are my strength, my shield.

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship You."

God is unfailing love.

Do Not Set Your Heart on Riches

Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. — Psalm 62:10 

Although God often gives us worldly riches, we are not to put our trust in them.

We do not follow the prosperity gospel.

Although God takes care of all our needs, He does not give us everything we want.

Just those things that are best for us.

Jesus did not come to save us from bad things.

Rather, He came to save us from our own sin - from the wrong things we say and do.

Here's the crocodile we saw at the zoo last week.

Until he opened his mouth, he looked like a statue.

God's creation is amazing.

He has done great things.

Trust in Him at All Times

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. — Psalm 62:8

T is for Trust.

When God led the people out of Egypt, they grumbled.

When Joshua and Caleb told them about the wonderful things in the promised land, they didn't listen.

They didn't trust God enough to go into the land.

There are days when I don't trust God enough either.

Even so, He knows what's best for me.

I can pour out my heart to Him.

God is my refuge.

I can trust in Him at all times.

Sunday afternoon, Abby and walked around Lake Murray.

Here are the ducks we saw along the way.

Help me, Lord, to put my trust in You.

 

Depend on God

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Psalm 62:7 

God is my refuge and strength.

God is my salvation.

He is my refuge from the storm.

God is my mighty rock.

He is my refuge.

He gives me a place to rest my head.

He is my salvation.

This tiger came right up to the glass where I was standing, shortly after I took this picture.

By then I had put may camera away.

God is my strong arm, and I know I can depend on Him.

My honor depends on God.

God Is My Rock

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. — Psalm 62:2 

Yes, really.

God is my Rock.

He is my Salvation.

He is my Fortress.

And my Protector.

As long as I remember that, I will never be shaken.

When I'm shaken by the world around me.

By people I know getting sick from covid.

God is my Rock.

I will never be shaken when I turn to Him.

My Soul Finds Rest in God

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. — Psalm 62:1 

Even when things seem to crash around me, my soul finds rest in God.

He delivered the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt.

His midwives delivered the Hebrew baby boys, even when they were ordered to kill them by the king.

And He delivers our world from evil.

So I find rest in Him.

He is my deliverer.

When my friends and their relatives are diagnosed with cancer,

When my friends and acquaintances lose their loved ones.

When we see their parents become ill, go through strokes and dementia,

God is our constant.

He carries us through the hard times.

Just as this koala can feel safe and secure in his tree, I can feel secure in the knowledge of God's love.

Praise the Lord!

Salvation comes from Him.

I Will Sing in Praise of Your Name

 I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day. — Psalm 61:8

Here's one of the animals we saw at the zoo on Monday.

The hippo was enjoying the cool air.

When we first walked by, she was swimming with her baby.

The giraffe baby was also enjoying the day, sitting among the older giraffes.

And the Tiger walked right toward us.

So did the gorillas and the cheetah.

Very fun morning with the animals.

I will sing in praise of your Name.

Thank You, God.

Consider It Pure Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. — James 1:2-3

Monday, Abby and I went to the zoo.

The animals were up and about, so it was really fun!

Here's the view from our Skyfari ride.

It was a beautiful day.

And we got there early so we had really up-close views everywhere we went.

Five hours later, we were on the way home.

Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Because the testing of our faith develops perseverance.

Which is a gift from God.

God Will Also Provide a Way Out

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13

God has provided us with a way out whenever we are tempted.

He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

God is loving and merciful.

He provides everything we need.

Here's the orange blossom dessert we tried at Mister A's.

Delicious.

The Truth WIll Set You Free

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. — John 8:32 

When Herod asked Jesus, "What is truth?"

He replied, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

"No one comes to the Father except by me."

Jesus also told us, "You shall know that truth, and the truth will set you free.

God' Word holds the truth for us.

Following God's laws points out where we're falling short.

So we learn to rely on God instead of on ourselves.

Today we're heading to the zoo to admire God's creatures.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

You Are Really My Disciples

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. - John 8:31

Jesus says that if we hold to His teachings, we are His disciples.

It's not always easy to keep to His teachings. 

The temptations of this world are continual distractions.

As His disciples, we follow His teaching.

And we look to His Word for guidance.

 

Here's Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo, where Kirk grew up.

Still an active congregation worshipping God each week.

Anyone Who Loves God Must Love Their Brother

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. — 1 John 4:21 

God has commanded us to love others.

Sometimes it's hardest to love those who are members of our earthly families.

But God reminds us that anyone who loves God must also love their brother.

Not just their brothers in Christ.

And anyone who loves God must also love their sister.

Even if we don't get along.

Even when we don't agree.

We show our love for God by. how we show our love to others.

Even when it's not convenient.

Even when it's not part of my plan or I have other things to do.

Or other places to be.

Help me, Lord, to love you with all of my heart and mind.

Love Your Brother and Sister

For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. — 1 John 4:20

Today we start a new Bible study on Exodus.

We'll read through 18 chapters in just ten weeks.

And discover what God instructed Moses to communicate to us in His Word.

And how God delivers us to live for Him.

Kirk's current adult Sunday school class is on the Ten Commandments.

He's teaching us how God's rules free us to live in God's will and word in the world.

Very complementary studies!

Looking forward to it.

We Are All Children of God

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. — Galatians 3:26

We are all children of God. 

Through faith in Jesus, God has adopted us into His family.

All who were baptized into Jesus Christ are His children.

We have clothed ourselves with Christ.

Here's the congratulations dessert we shared over the weekend.

We are praising God for blessing us with our home and family.

The Lord Is With Me

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? — Psalm 118:5-6

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I cried to Him.

Especially when I discovered I would have to go through chemo and lose my hair.

He brought me into a spacious place.

He restored my hair and my health.

Through it all, He gave me strength.

I felt His presence.

The Lord is with me still!

I will not be afraid.

I will not worry.
 

He will give me His peace.

Be Holy in All You Do

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” — Exodus 3:12

God is holy.

And He calls us to be holy.

He called Moses and He calls me.

To share His Word with those around us.

To lead people toward Him and away from the values of this world.

Help us to be holy, Lord.

And to serve You each day.

He Who Called You Is Holy

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:15-16

Here we are with our Christmas tree, trying to stop laughing long enough to take this photo.

This weekend we took down all of our Christmas decorations.

The wreaths are back in their boxes ready for next year.

I even had Kirk get down our valentine's mug with red hearts.

Abby and I decided we'll trade off taking it to work.

Only about a month away.

It's hard to believe!

Welcome, 2022.

 

Do Not Store Up Treasures on Earth

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. — Matthew 6:19

Today we took down our Christmas tree and decorations.

We set up our puzzle card table to start a puzzle depicting Mount Vernon.

Then we celebrated with dinner out.

Here was the beautiful view.

Happy new year!

From our family to yours.

Christ Loved Us

Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. — Ephesians 1:2

Christ loves us.

He even loves me.

Not just when I'm obeying His Word, but even when I'm avoiding Him.

He gave himself up for me as a fragrant offering.

Jesus took my place as a sacrifice to God.

Last week we paid off our home!

We give God the glory and praise for providing for us over and above anything we could ask or imagine.

Tomorrow we will go out to celebrate.

Follow God's Example

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love. — Ephesians 5:1

Tonight I headed down for choir after work.

When I arrived, the parking lot was almost empty.

Kate and Felipe were the only ones there.

We guessed that we had missed the email telling us that choir was canceled.

Our choir director just had a new baby boy.

We guessed that he needed a night off now that he has three children.

Here I am visiting the zoo last week with Abby.

A great place to bring the kids.

So thankful that God created families.

He Has Given Us New Birth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  — 1 Peter 1:3 

Last week Abby and I went to the zoo.

We saw several baby animals.

And we saw lots of active animals.

Here's the new baby giraffe.

He was just four weeks old.

He was enjoying being with the other giraffes as they were eating.

We also saw a baby hippo swimming with his mom.

A fun mother-daughter day to see the animal families.

Love Mercy

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8

Yesterday the pastor of Maranatha Chapel here in San Diego passed away.

He was 64, the father of two and grandfather of several, leaving behind his wife.

He got sick on December 23 and passed away on January 4.

My coworker goes to his church.

Tonight they held a prayer vigil for the family and congregation.

We grieve for his family and congregation.

But we rejoice that he is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus.

I said that to my coworker in the card I left him this morning.

God has us working together for His purpose and for His glory.

Our prayers go out to those who are hurting.

Set Your Hope on Jesus

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. — 1 Peter 1:13

This week, my friend Brad sent me a very thoughtful text, reminding me of my work anniversary with AnsMar Publishers.

It was ten years ago that he asked me to come to work for him.

Those years were a great experience getting to work on Math curriculum for grades K - 8.

I learned a lot and grew as an editor, manager, writer, marketer, and publisher.

When Brad retired, I moved on to Axos Bank, where I've been now for almost four years.

God has placed me just where He wants me to be.

I just pray that He will continue to use me to do His will.

Here's my former boss Karen and my coworker Jen reconnecting after a year apart.

I am blessed with wonderful friends.

Continue in Him

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. — 1 John 2:28 

On Friday, Abby and I went to the zoo for four hours.

It was a beautiful day.

A bit chilly at first, but then it warmed up.

We walked continually, enjoying the plants and animals.

We took the skyride across the zoo at the end of the day and then rode it back.

It drizzled for about 5 minutes or less, but we simply pulled our hoods up over our heads.

The animals were out roaming, so we had a chance to see lots of them.

This is a beautiful secretary bird.

Very fun time together.

Happy New Year!

God's Rainbow Promise

 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. — 1 John 2:25

God set his bow in the clouds to promise to never flood the world again.

Here's the view of a rainbow from my office window on Wednesday.

Friday Abby and I went to the zoo for the first time in several years.

We got to see God's creation up close.

They have a baby giraffe.

And we walked throughout the park.

A fun day spent together.

Happy New Year!