There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:28
There is no longer Jew nor Gentile.
Neither slave nor free.
No longer male nor female.
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Jumping for joy.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. — Ephesians 2:19
And we are no longer strangers to God.
Rather, we are fellow citizens with God's people.
Citizens of a new heaven.
Members of the Lord's household.
Identified as His possessions.
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” — John 6:29
God calls us to do His work and to believe in Jesus.
God sent Jesus to earth for us.
To pay the penalty for our sins.
And to prepare a place for us in heaven.
Yesterday my friend's brother-in-law died after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in January.
His family is grieving and my friend's sister is feeling the great loss.
But he went peacefully and is now without pain and living with Jesus his Savior.
And we are grateful.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3
Even when our minds are racing furiously.
Even when the world around us comes crashing in.
And especially when our friends and family are going through tough times.
God's peace overcomes them all.
He keeps our minds steadfast.
And we trust in Him.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. — Romans 12: 4-5
These members all have different functions.
In Christ we form one body, even though we are many.
Each member belongs to all the others.
And each is beautiful in its own right.
Just as this Plumeria is beautiful.
God created us for beauty too.
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. — Psalm 116:1-2
God's majesty and glory was evident in the architecture, the music, and the sculptures.
I love the Lord.
He heard my voice.
God heard my cry for mercy.
He turned His ear to me.
And He answered my cry.
I will call on Him as long as I live.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. — Psalm 94:18-19
His unfailing love surrounded me.
When I felt my foot slipping, he held me up.
When anxiety should have been great within me, I was at peace.
God's consolation brought me joy.
His right hand held me and supported me.
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our bodies.
And from everything that contaminates our spirits.
God molds us into His handiwork,
Perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Let us purify ourselves.
And follow God's path.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? — Romans 8:32
Rather, He gave up His Son for us all.
He has shown His love for us.
He has graciously given us all things.
We are blessed to be the recipients of His grace.
Today I got my annual review from my new supervisor and it was very praiseworthy.
An awesome affirmation of my hard work and God's goodness.
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. — 1 John 5:12
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8
Our guest pastor was from Egypt and gave a wonderful sermon about relying on God and trusting Jesus.
He explained the stories of the man possessed by legions, the woman who was sick for 12 years and was healed after touching Jesus' robe and Jairus' daughter who died after 12 years and was brought to life again.
Pastor Isaac William was an inspiration to help us understand that we too, should reach out to the isolated and hurting people around us just as Jesus did.
Our director of Ladle Fellowship also spoke about how Ladle has served the downtown community for 40 years now.
Last week a man appeared at our church who had received a cup of coffee from that new ministry back in 1983.
He had returned to thank us and bring us a can of coffee.
God is at work - He directs His love by day.
And at night His song is with me.
A prayer to the God of my life.
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. — 2 Corinthians 10:15-18
Not to commend ourselves.
But rather to boast in God's goodness and His life-giving power for us.
Last week Kirk discovered that his high-school friend Mike is now diagnosed with liver cancer.
He is struggling about whether to simply avoid the chemo and treatment regimen.
We are praying for God's wisdom to flood him and his care team.
Here he is in in the dark blue shirt in August.
He's lost 100 pounds since then.
We're covering him in prayer.
That they may make whatever decisions will be best for Mike and the ability to enjoy life in the years before him.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. — Psalm 16:8
She is still recovering from spine surgery and now has to face this horrible news.
We are praying for her family and medical team that they will find the best treatment options for her.
Right now it appears that radiation and a chemo pill will be the protocol.
We are also praying for Lila's healing and comfort and wisdom during this time.
The prognosis is about six years - she's just 40.
So we are also praying for a good quality of life and longer life than expected.
She moved to Ohio and bought a home near her mom last year.
God's timing is perfect.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken, even though I may be shaken by worldly cares.
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. — 1 Corinthians 7:17
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| Loire River Near Amboise |
This is not always easy.
I prefer to think about changing my situation.
Or to aspire to something bigger and better.
But God has called me to the situation I'm in today.
And then commands me to live as a believer in that situation.
Just as He has called me.
Very humbling to realize.
Here's the Loire river as we walked by on our way to dinner.
Amazing.
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. — 1 Corinthians 6:20
I was bought at a price.
Jesus purchased my salvation with His blood.
Sacrificing himself for me.
God asks me to honor Him with my body.
And with my heart, soul, and mind.
My creator, redeemer, counselor and Savior.
Here we are visiting Monet's home and gardens.
Beautiful!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1
And He is my strength.
He is ever present.
And with me always.
The Lord is my refuge and help in times of trouble.
He cares for me and loves me.
We visited several cemeteries in Normandy.
And we were blessed to be able to see the lowering of the flag at this one as they played Taps in the evening.
A very moving reminder of God's presence with us wherever we go.
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. — Psalm 119:14
From the residences of kings and queens of France to the cathedrals they had built.
Plus paintings and sculptures in the Louvre and at Versaille.
We saw the Mona Lisa and many amazing tapestries and architectural marvels.
And even the collections in the places we stayed - full of valuable antiques and porcelain.
Just as the aristocracy of France reveled in great riches and works of art, so we rejoice in following God.
And in His statutes and laws.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. — Psalm 119:130
Each time I read Scripture they have something new to tell me.
And I hear something entirely different from the previous time I read those same words.
God's Word gives light.
It illumines the path He has prepared for me.
And it opens my heart to follow Him more closely.
It gives understanding to my simple mind.
It shines out in the darkest night.
Here is one of the gardens we visited in Paris.
Illuminating God's wonderful creation.
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. — 1 Samuel 6:7
People look at the outside.
We are quick to judge others by their appearance.
God looks at what's on the inside instead.
He knows my heart.
And He sees my inner thoughts.
He loves me anyway.
In spite of all I've thought or done.
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. — Isaiah 33:22
He is our law giver.
And our King.
He will save us.
And redeem us from sin.
We are grateful.
And blessed.
Here we are at the Arc de Triomphe.
What a beautiful day!
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. — James 1:22
But not just to listen.
If we only listen and do not act, we deceive ourselves.
Instead, God asks us to do what God's Word says.
To take action.
To obey God's commands.
And to be willing to get outside my own comfort zone.
And to rely on God instead of myself.
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? — Jeremiah 32:27
He is the God of all mankind.
Of all people.
He created the earth and everything in it.
Is anything too hard for Him?
No, nothing.
He is omniscient and omnipotent.
Here are some creatively decorated trees on the way to the park up the street from our house.
Very clever!
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. — Psalm 119:114
A very present help in trouble.
He is my protector and shield.
I have put my hope in His Word, the Bible.
And I have put my hope in His Word, Jesus Christ.
The mediator between me and God.
My Advocate and Savior.
Here's the beautiful sunset we saw going over the Coronado Bridge Friday night.
You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. — Jeremiah 32:21
And for those around us.
Our friend Marion's daughter was diagnosed with cancer in her breast and spine.
She experienced awful pain in her spine, which was deteriorating.
She had an operation Friday to remove one of her ribs and insert a steel rod.
God guided her doctors and the surgery went as well as they had hoped.
Now she's on the long road to recovery before they can start radiation for the cancer.
What an ordeal!
Fortunately, her mom is nearby and she will stay with her after she leaves the hospital.
God brought His people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders.
His mighty. hand and outstretched arm comforts and guides us today, too.
Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind. — Jeremiah 32:18-19
The weather was beautiful and lots of people turned out.
Our great and mighty God is the Lord.
His purposes are great.
His deeds are mighty.
His eyes are open to the ways of all mankind.
Welcome, August!
