I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. — 1 Corinthians 1:4-5
And for our beautiful creation - the world God has created for us.
There are other things I forget to thank Him for.
But He still provides everything I need and then some.
We are blessed beyond measure.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Philippians 4:4
But God's mercy and grace give us a reason to rejoice in Him each day.
From His beautiful creation to each amazing moment He blesses our lives with, He shows His mighty power.
And His love radiates from other Christians around us.
Surrounding us with comfort and hope even when we're despairing.
Filling us with joy to face each new day.
Rejoice in the Lord!
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. — Psalm 16:8
I keep my eyes on Him each day.
No matter what comes my way, I can rely on Him to guide me.
With God at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
He has my back!
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. — Psalm 16:8
Because God is at our side.
Whether storms are literal or figurative, we can keep our eyes on the Lord.
When He's at my right hand, I can keep going.
And I can get through the storms, knowing that he's at my side.
Even when the strong winds blow, I won't be shaken.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. — 2 Thessalonians 1:3
For the. mentors who have helped me stay on the right path.
And have guided me through life.
Their faith grew more and more.
And their love for Kirk and me continually increases.
I always thank God for their guidance and love.
The saints who have gone before me are rich with God's love.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. — Philippians 4:4-5
Help me to be gentle to all.
God the Lord is near.
I rejoice in Him.
His love endures forever.
Here's our family on Easter.
Cameron took this photo so he's not in it.
Rudy joined us after dinner for desert.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Corinthians 1:4
I often fail, but it's humbling.
God gives me everything.
He watches over me and comforts me.
He keeps His promises to me.
There is nothing he cannot do.
I always thank my God for you.
He has given us His grace through Christ Jesus.
We are blessed.
We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers. — 1 Thessalonians 1:2
It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.
Partway through, we came to this tree.
Suzy had to hang from it while we got a picture.
Then we all stood near it for a group photo.
The flowers were blooming and the sky was blue.
The day started out overcast so it didn't get too hot.
We always give thanks to God for friends, including hiking buddies!
Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. — Colossians 4:6
At times it gets downright salty.
But not in a good way.
God tells us that when I speak with grace, I will know how to respond to each person.
And He encourages me to always speak with grace.
Seasoned with enough salt to taste good.
To leave a good taste in the mouths of others.
Help, me, Lord!
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Colossians 4:6
We drove out to Ramona, about 40 minutes away.
Then we hiked for about 6 miles down to Cedar Falls waterfall.
Some people were climbing up to the top of the rocks and jumping into the pool below.
After sitting awhile at the falls, we started hiking back up to the top.
Fortunately, there was a slight breeze on the way up.
We also ran into a swarm of bees.
But no one got stung.
We had a beautiful day hiking.
God's glory surrounded us.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving.
Even so, we will have a chance to give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us.
We give thanks each day, praying continually.
In all circumstances we rejoice.
Knowing this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. — 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Kellie's the one in the maroon t-shirt leading the way.
But toward the end, one of our friends twisted her ankle.
Of course, Kellie had a cold water bottle to put on it and we rested so she could put her leg up.
Then, when it was time to start up again, a couple of friends propped her up between them so she could hobble down the mountain without putting pressure on her ankle.
Finally, Kellie gave her a piggyback ride the rest of the way down.
My friends are always ready to do what is good for each other,
And for everyone else.
I am so thankful for them all!
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Colossians 4:6
It will take a couple of weeks to get her onboarded and ready to start with us.
What a relief!
After months of searching, God has provided us with just the right person.
His timing is always best, even though it is not on my schedule.
My prayer is that my conversation with all of my coworkers, family members and friends will be seasoned so as to add flavor rather than divisiveness.
Hopefully my words will be seasoned with salt and God will close my mouth to any unkind words.
My conversation is not always full of grace but that is what I aspire to.
Dear Lord, help know how to answer everyone.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. — Colossians 1:3
She was 89 and lots of her friends and family members were there to praise God for her life.
Her service was at the same cemetery where my mom is.
So we stopped by to visit her gravesite, too.
It's hard to believe that was 18 years ago.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus.
When we pray for you, we give thanks to God and we give Him the glory.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Philippians 4:4
It has flown by.
God has blessed us through the ups and downs — mostly ups.
He has surrounded us by family and friends for support and guidance.
And He gave us models of Christian parenting in our own parents.
Here we are at our 35th Anniversary party, put together by our wonderful daughter.
And celebrated with friends, neighbors, and family.
What a fun day.
Rejoice in the Lord!
