Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. — John 3:20-21
So that it may be seen plainly,
What they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Here we are at the Chart House in Dana Point.
It was a beautiful evening.
With a gorgeous sunset.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, — Philippians 1:9-10
For the first few hours we saw nobody else on the beach.
It was beautiful and relaxing.
We thanked God for a beautiful day,
And that afternoon we went back to our hotel to swim in the pool.
The pool was also very empty.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. — 1 John 2:1
And Jesus is my advocate with Him.
Christ is the Righteous One, the Savior of the world.
When I sin, I know I can confess my sin to Jesus and He will stand before the Father on my behalf.
God has prepared a plan and purpose for my life.
He numbers the grains of sand on the beach.
And He knows the numbers of hairs on my head.
I am a child of God.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. — Hebrews 10:35
When we put our confidence in God, we will be richly rewarded.
Not with. material things, but with God's presence in our lives.
Holding us up as we walk through deep waters.
Sustaining us.
Helping us find the way to Him.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. — Ephesians 4:29
The waves were strong and the beach was rocky.
But the water was warm and the sun was shining.
It was a beautiful day in God's creation.
God commands us to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.
But only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.
So our conversation may benefit those who listen.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. — Philippians 2:3-4
Value others above yourselves.
Look to the interests of others.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition.
Another birthday dessert for Abby's 25th!
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. — Ephesians 5:8
We are called to follow God's example.
As dearly loved children, God cares for us.
And He loves us completely.
In spite of our sin.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. — James 3:13
Who is understanding?
Let them show it by their good life.
And let them show their wisdom by deeds done in humility.
Their humility that comes from God's wisdom.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. — 1 John 4:16
Hard to believe that when my parents adopted him he couldn't even come home with us from the hospital.
He was a premee - premature so he had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks.
When he finally came home, he wouldn't smile.
So my sister and I would smile big grins at him every time we held him or peered into his crib.
Today he's big and tall and can't keep a smile off his face.
Quite a contrast to when we first met him.
Now people tell us they can tell we're related.
We smile and thank them.
I take it as a nice compliment!
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love.
And His love penetrates our homes and hearts.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. — Isaiah 46:4
And He always keeps His promises.
No matter what I'm going through, I can remember that He has made me.
And He will carry me when I don't have the strength to go on.
He will rescue me when I get into trouble or head down the wrong path.
Even to my old age and gray hairs, God is with me.
I'm just blessed to have hair, after losing it all to cancer.
And it's come back just as full as ever. Amazing!
God has rescued me from illness, and He sustains me.
I am blessed and thankful.
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. — Colossians 1:28
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| First Presbyterian Children's Choir 1986 |
Their oldest son is on the right.
And that's me conducting the children's choir at our church.
This was just two years after Kirk and I were married.
And I think the accompanist was my friend Susan.
Hard to believe those children are now grown up with kids of their own!
God is the one we proclaim.
We teach everyone with all wisdom.
So we can present everyone fully mature in Christ.
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. — Psalm 126:3
Afterward, we walked down to the Hotel Del Coronado and watched the sunset.
We found some steps to sit on in front of the hotel.
Then we stayed and watched fireworks.
A fun way to celebrate her 25th!
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. — Job 19:25
I'm reading a chronological study Bible, and the commentary on the speeches by Job's friends has explained that they relied on the wisdom teachings of the time rather than on God's Word.
Today many of my coworkers often rely on the teachings of yoga, philosophers, and hindu teachings rather than on God's Word.
I also have coworkers who are strong Christians who pray with me and who I can pray for.
And even my non-Christian coworkers often let me pray for them when they are going through tough times.
God places us where He can use us to accomplish His will.
And He gives us friends and family members to support us and uphold us in our walk with Him.
Today was Kirk's mom's birthday, and we miss her very much.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. — 1 Timothy 1:13-14
A welcome rest from the work week.
Yesterday, our pastor gave an inspiring sermon from 2 Thessalonians 2.
And our Sunday school teacher encouraged us to share the gospel with others by getting to know them personally.
A rich day of teaching from God's Word.
God asks me to keep His Word as the pattern of sound teaching.
To hold fast to the faith and love of Christ Jesus.
To guard the good deposit that was entrusted to me.
To guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in me.
Help me, Lord.
This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. — Isaiah 48:17
It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since we had her just down the street at Kaiser.
She now has her masters degree and enjoys her job as an enrollment counselor.
Her college friend will be here in a couple of weeks to visit from Spokane.
And we're headed out to dinner at a French restaurant in Coronado to celebrate.
Her coworkers brought festive red velvet cupcakes for her at work this week.
And Kirk and I picked up this cute chocolate mousse cake at Flour Power.
Our friends brought us yellowtail tuna that he caught a few weeks ago.
God directs us in the way we should go and teaches us what is best for us.
We are blessed!
The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees. — Psalm 119:64
His creation proclaims His goodness.
And His decrees are designed with me in mind.
I don't always pay attention.
But I do ask Him to teach me His decrees.
So that I can follow His commands.
And He can use me to fulfill His purpose.
Our family is blessed.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. — Proverbs 22:6
Even though it's true lots of the time, other times, even the best training can't prevent some children from falling away.
The good news is that even when they fall, our prayers can lift them up and get them back on solid ground.
My friend's 30-something son was dealing with drugs, alcohol abuse, anger issues, and threats of suicide.
With lots of prayer and professional help, he is now on the road to healing.
This is a complete miracle that we could not have predicted just a year ago.
His mom's perseverance even when he resisted and her constant prayers along with God's guidance have completely turned him around.
And we give God the glory.
Even when our children do turn from Him, He reaches out and brings them back into the fold.
Thank you, Lord!
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. — Psalm 95:6-8
Come and kneel before the Lord.
He is our Maker.
And our God.
We are His people.
He calls us His sheep.
The flock under His care.
This is the cathedral in Bayeux, near Normandy.
Happy September!
