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
The pattern is in the Sicilian style - it matches my tablecloths perfectly.
As Kirk commented, we will be getting lots of use out of it!
What a thoughtful and ideal gift for my retirement.
I'm overwhelmed.
The Lord is our King.
It is He who will save us.
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. — Psalm 149:4
So many people from across the bank stopped by to wish me well.
The commercial team gave me flowers.
And my consumer team gave me tickets to the next opera season.
I am blessed to have made many good friends over my six years here.
My final four days are definitely bittersweet.
God takes delight in his people!
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:15
So God calls us to press on toward heaven.
Our prize is living forever with Him in heaven.
And our goal is to follow the Lord Jesus,
Becoming more like Him each day.
Growing in the love of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1
It brought back memories of our wonderful time in Paris two years ago.
And the crowd of spectators gathered there now for the games.
We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, too.
But our crowd consists of the saints who've gone before us.
My mom, Kirk's mom, Polly Whigham, Mildred & Blain Marksbury, Burt Smith, Penny, Paul Pulliam, Gabe Saliba, and so many more.
Our lives have been blessed by each of them.
And we pray that our lives, too, will be a blessing to many.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1
And we had 36 people singing our summer choir.
That afternoon, our France tour choir shared a beautiful concert with some wonderful testimonies.
It makes me want to sing with them in Italy next year!
For now, I'm blessed to be able to sing God's praises and worship in this beautiful city.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7
He purifies us with the blood of His Son, Jesus.
And if we walk in that lights, we have fellowship with one another.
The blood of Jesus Christ purifies us from all sin.
Thanks be to God.
The light of our lives.
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. — Jeremiah 32:17
He is our Lord.
He created the heavens and the earth.
Nothing is too hard for Him.
He formed the heavens and earth by His great power and outstretched arm.
And He formed us, too.
He loves us even when we mess up.
Just as a Father loves His children.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. — John 15:10
Just as Jesus kept His Father's commands.
And just as Jesus remains in His love.
But because we're sinful, Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.
He died on the cross and came alive again on the third day.
Now he reigns with God the Father in heaven.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4
He is the Word and was able to live and breathe it.
So He had a ready answer from Scripture for Satan.
Even though He had fasted for 40 days, He was not tempted by food.
He received His nourishment from God's Word.
And He commanded us to live by God's Word too.
Help me, Lord, to get to know Scripture as you did, hiding it in my heart.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:9-11
He lives with the Father in heaven.
That every knee will bow at the name of Jesus.
Whether in heaven or on earth.
Every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is Lord.
And will glorify God, our Father.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
World wthout end. Amen.
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6
God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion.
And He will continue that work until the day of Christ Jesus.
This week I gave my notice to my coworkers.
I'll be retiring as of August 1.
I'll miss this view from my office window.
And I'll miss many of the people.
But I'm ready to stop working so many hours away from my family.
And my 23-year-old coworker will be moving to South Korea to teach students in August, leaving our company as of July 30.
God is working His purpose out in me and in her.
Very exciting to see Him at work in our lives.
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. — Psalm 18:30
Scripture is inerrant and true.
God's way is perfect.
He shields all who take refuge in Him.
Yesterday we celebrated our friend Donna's 90th birthday.
Her daughter-in-law had these cute cookies made for all the guests.
It brought back lots of memories of her husband Ralph and his astute Bible teaching.
And his book, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences.
Happy 90th Birthday, Donna!
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. — Matthew 24:35
Earth will one day pass away.
But the Word of God will never pass away.
God's Word is forever.
This summer we're going through the book of Proverbs for our sermon series at church.
These Words of wisdom will last forever.
They are like water for the thirsty and bread for the hungry.
Help us to follow Your Word, oh Lord.
Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. — Jeremiah 23:24
No one can hide from Him.
Even the secret places are not secrets to Him.
He fills the heavens.
And His glory fills the whole earth.
God has declared it.
Our nation belongs to God the Lord.
In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. — Isaiah 12:4
Give praise to the Lord.
Tell the nations what He has done.
Proclaim that God's name is exalted.
Give praise to the Lord our God!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. — Psalm 33:12
What a fun time!
It felt like we had our own private fireworks show.
They even had a Midway Mai-Tai drink with a glowing ice cube and a plumeria.
And the band was fabulous.
Their daughter who just turned 14 had a powerful voice.
A wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day after gathering with our family and friends.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. — Romans 12:3
With sober judgment, we are to think of ourselves humbly.
Not putting ourselves above others.
In accordance with the faith God has given us.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” — Jeremiah 19:9-10
He examines our minds.
And He sees our deceit.
Even when we can't understand it.
He knows we are beyond cure.
Which is why He sent His Son, Jesus.
To die on Golgatha (pictured).
To redeem us from our sin.
So we are no longer rewarded by what our deeds deserve.
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. — Zechariah 14:9
Hard to believe.
Yesterday marked the 12th anniversary of our Pastor Jeff and his wife Greta.
And it was also the day 68 years ago that Kirk's mom and dad were married.
Here they are after the ceremony.
The wedding took place at the Catholic church in Spencer, Iowa.
Then they headed over the United Methodist Church for the reception.
We miss them both!
The Lord is king over the whole earth.
There is only one Lord.
And one Savior — out Lord Jesus.
On the day He returns, there will be proclamations about His majesty.
On that day, His name will be the only name in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.'" — Leviticus 19:18
And afterward, we have a courtyard fellowship with more bluegrass music plus pies!
So I spent the morning baking pies for the fellowship time and for our friends who share their fresh fish with us.
Blueberry and cherry. Yum!
This verse hit home with me last week as I was struggling with a colleague who has not been treating people well.
Even so, God really convicted me about not holding a grudge.
And not excluding them when we invite others to join us to celebrate our anniversary in October.
It's so easy to hold a grudge.
But God commands us to love our neighbor as ourself. Even when they don't treat us well.
Help me, Lord, to obey.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. — Matthew 16:25
They are delicious as well as beautiful.
And they are part of God's marvelous creation.
So am I.
God lets us know that if we give up our lives for Him, we will find true life.
Lord, help me to lose my life to You.
Instead of trying to save my life for the world.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9
His timing is not mine.
Rather, he is patient with me.
Taking His time so everyone can come to repentance.
Having mercy on all of us.
And we are thankful.
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. — 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Our theme this year is Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus was a kid.
We have several children from other countries participating.
Some who don't speak much English.
Our preschool group included one three-year-old who had just arrived in the country.
He told his mom afterward that Americans really love their cheeses.
He wasn't talking about the string cheese they served but rather the songs they sang.
When she asked him to tell her more, he said, "Today we sang about how much we love cheeses."
Then he sang, "Oh, how I love cheeses, Oh, how I love cheeses."
I couldn't stop laughing when I heard that story.
His mom shared it with the preschool teacher.
The Lord is faithful.
He will strengthen us.
And God will protect us from the evil one.
Oh, how I love Jesus!
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. — Psalm 68:4-5
Rejoicing before Him.
He rides on the clouds.
His name is God the Lord.
He is a father to those who have no father.
And a defender of widows.
He adopts the orphans into His family.
And He reigns over us in His holy dwelling.
Alive and well in heaven.
Extol Him!
Sing in praise of His name.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31
The Little Sioux River overflowed its banks and sections of the town and cemetery are under water.
Our prayers go out to the people of that town and others that were affected.
Here's the Dairy Queen Kirk and Ernie stopped by on their way to Akron a couple of years ago.
We are shocked and saddened.
We hope in the Lord even when the world sends us disasters and floods.
In Christ, we will walk and not be faint.
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. — Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord keeps me from all harm.
He watches over my life.
And my travels both now and forevermore.
Years ago Abby and I went to the fair together.
We got our picture taken in front of this tower.
So this year we did the same.
Such a beautiful day.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. — Psalm 91:1
It was crowded, but we had a great time.
We are grateful for the day together.
Here's the view we had from the Ferris Wheel.
We are thanking God for the beautiful day He gave us.
And for the blessing of family.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. — Psalm 19:1-2
The heavens declare His greatness.
The skies show us His creation.
The work of His hands.
Day after day, the world around us shouts His name.
Night after night, the each reveals His wisdom and knowledge.
The Lord God is amazing!
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. — Psalm 90: 2, 4
The Lord makes my feet like the feet of a deer.
He enables me to tread on the heights.
God leads me to streams of water.
My cup overflows!
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:13-14
The road that leads to destruction is wide.
And many go through it.
But the gate is small that leads to life.
And the road is narrow.
That's why only a few people find it.
And even then, many are reluctant to go through it.
But God will guide us each step of the way.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments. — Habakkuk 3:19
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer.
As a deer pants for water, so my soul longs for the Lord.
Tomorrow we sing "Sicut Cervus," which is based on this Scripture.
God enables me to walk on the heights.
He is my portion.
He is my strength.
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. — Ephesians 3:17-18
I pray that I'm also rooted in love.
So that I too, may have the power to grasp this concept.
And to know the love of Jesus that surpasses knowledge.
So I may be filled with God's fullness.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. — 1 Chronicles 29:11
And it's also the day Kirk goes in for his arteriorgram.
They are both covered in prayer.
We are also praying for Kirk's surgeon, nurses, and the healthcare team.
That God would give them wisdom and precision.
And that God would be glorified, even during the catheterization and coronary arteriogram.
For the greatness and power belong to Him alone.
The glory and majesty and splendor are His.
Everything in heaven and on earth is His.
Including us, His children.
His is the kingdom.
Help us exalt You, Lord, over all.
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. — Hebrews 9:28
He was sacrificed once to take away my sins.
And the sins of all.
And He will come back again in glory.
Not to bear our sin, but to bring salvation.
And to offer it to all those who are waiting for Him.
Praise the Lord!
"They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:3-4
There will be no more death at the resurrection.
No more crying or pain.
Our friend Tim is going in for an ablation on Tuesday.
But in God's plan, the old order of things will pass away.
He Himself will be with us as He is now.
We will be His people.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. — Revelation 21:2
We are praising God for Kirk's new cardiologist who got tests completed for his afib so quickly.
Thursday he had his labwork completed.
And Tuesday he's scheduled for his angiograph.
When mom had one, they went in through her groin.
Now they go in through the wrist. Amazing.
He's been talking to lots of friends who have had stents.
That may not be his outcome, but we are praying for the best.
And grateful that he is in good hands.
In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? — Psalm 56:4
And I love His Word.
Kirk and I trust in God.
And we are not afraid.
Kirk met with his cardiologist this week and discovered that his left ventrical is only working at 35%.
They will do an angiograph next week to determine next steps.
This is a scary time.
But we rejoice in God.
And we give Him the glory, whatever the outcome.
We pray for wisdom for Kirk's cardiologist and her team.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. — 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
He will come with a loud command.
With the voice of the archangel.
And with the trumpet call of God.
The dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, those of us who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds.
We will meet the Lord Jesus in the air.
And we will live with the Lord God forever and ever.
What a glorious day!
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. — Psalm 103:17-18
And with all who revere and fear him.
It even extends to our children.
And to their children too.
For all who keep His covenant.
And for all who remember to obey Him.
Help me to remember, Lord.
Guide me to obey you.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. — John 3:17
We had a fun time of food and fellowship together.
And today we celebrate Memorial Day.
Remembering those who gave their lives for our country.
Here's a photo of Arlington Cemetary.
Today we honor those who gave of themselves to make sure we can live in freedom.
We thank God for each of them.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. — James 1:19
Everyone. should be quick to listen.
Actively listening to our friends, family members, and neighbors.
Then biting our tongues.
And taking our time to respond.
Asking God to direct our words.
Slow to speak.
Slow to become angry.
All in the Lord.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. — Romans 12:10
To show love to each other.
To honor one another.
Putting the other person above yourself.
And giving God the glory.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. — Romans 15:2
Kirk golfs with one of them regularly.
And I received some fragrant lilies from his wife last month along with a beautiful card of thanks for our friendship.
They are Christians who tied a knot in my prayer quilt that their church made for me while I was undergoing chemotherapy 5 years ago.
And they were surprised to see that the quilt at the front of their church was for their neighbor, me!
Another of our neighbors and close friends put in the request for the quilt.
And our next-door neighbors sent us a beautiful floral arrangement for Thanksgiving to thank Kirk for watching their house, bringing in their trash cans, and picking up any fliers from their walkway.
Now they are getting ready to sell their house.
We've only had two different families live in that home since we moved in.
And the previous couple were wonderful Christian friends who shared their fruit and vegetables and canned goods with us.
She baked delicious rosemary shortbread cookies.
We have been blessed by our neighbors.
And we are praying for another wonderful family to move in once our neighbors sell their home.
Thank You, Lord.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. — Galatians 5:13
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we have a freedom that was paid for by the blood of Jesus.
As a result, we are called to not indulge the flesh.
But rather to let the Holy Spirit guide and direct us.
And to serve one another in love.
Even those people we don't particularly like.
Even those we despise.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 15:5-6
He encourages us.
May God give us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus had.
With one mind we glorify God.
With one voice we praise the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Glory be to the God and Father of us all.
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. — 1 Corinthians 1:10
In what we say and do.
So we don't have divisions in the church.
So we are perfectly united in mind.
And so we even agree in our thoughts.
As brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A beautiful bouquet of fragrant flowers that complement each other.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. — James 3:17-18
Just as God gave Solomon wisdom, He fills us with His Holy Spirit to help direct us too.
Giving us the ability to be peace loving.
To be considerate of others even when they don't consider us.
To be submissive to God's authority in our lives.
And to be full of mercy.
Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit.
Impartial and sincere toward others.
Help me be a peacemaker and sow in peace today, Lord.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. — Hebrews 6:10
He loves us and will not forget our work.
Especially when we show love to others.
And when we help His people.
And continue to help them.
God is not unjust.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! — Romans 11:33
His knowledge is
His judgments are unsearchable.
We have no way to trace out his paths.
Oh, the depth of his riches!
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! — Romans 5:10
Only through the blood of His Son Jesus was this possible.
How much more, then, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
God is our salvation.
And Jesus shed His blood for us.
Providing the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live with Him in heaven one day.
