Confidence in What We Hope For

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1

On Sunday, our friend Robbie preached an excellent sermon on the Psalms of Agur.

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.

  

Faith Is Confidence in What We Hope For

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1 

Faith means being confident in what we hope for.

Without faith we are just clanging cymbals.

Not anything worthwhile.

Just a bunch of noisemakers.

Faith is assurance about what we do not see.

It is belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And in God His Father.

Faith Is Confidence in What We Hope For

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1

Faith is having confidence that God is in control.

He knows the big picture while I only see a dim version of just a portion of the whole.

This week we have been blessed to spend time with our friends in Palm Desert.

It has been relaxing and fun to get away.

Abby is not ready to come home.

Our place has been right on the golf course, overlooking a pond.

We have geese who come up to join us in the evening.

And we are swimming 2-3 times a day — from 12:30 to 2:30, 3:00 to 5:00 and 8:00 to 10:00 at night.

We did not do too much laying out because it was so hot.

But the pool was really refreshing.

I'll get in a one-hour swim on Saturday morning before we pack up to head home.

Kirk and Abby will probably sleep in.

God has blessed us with this time together.

We are grateful and refreshed.

Confidence in What We Hope For

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1


Friday evening we saw our good friends Mary and Gary.

We had probably not seen them for about 8 or 9 months.

We sat outside on their patio and they treated us to an amazing dinner.

They also put up a "Happy Retirement" sign for Kirk in honor of his final week of school.

They kept me in prayer throughout my chemo and radiation.

And Mary sent me a card every week during my treatment, just to let me know they were praying.

Now my doctor says the cancer is in remission.

I am completely cured.

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

We are confident in the healing power of Jesus.

Even if I had not been completely cured, our confidence would not be shaken.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Draw Near to God

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:22

Our hearts have been sprinkled with water from baptism by the Holy Spirit..

Our bodies have been washed with pure water from baptism to cleanse us from our guilty conscience.

So we are able to draw near to God with a sincere heart.

He has given us the full assurance that faith brings.

Here is Kirk out a Torrey Pines before social distancing began. 

This week he is taking golf lessons, preparing to hit the green again this summer.

God Rules

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves arise, thou stillest them. — Psalm 89:10

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. — Psalm 107:29-30

O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.  — Psalm 34:8

One of my college classmates sent me these Bible verses, and I love them. Thanks to Diana for this assurance from God's Word.

And more beautiful flowers from my coworker Lisa. The yellow flowers are from her garden and smell wonderful!

Today we attended the memorial service for Jean Bowie, a wonderful saint with a sharp sense of humor. She was not afraid to tell it like it is, and she was always willing to share her faith.

I am inspired by people such as Jean (and my brother Steve) who are able to share their faith so easily with whoever they come into contact.

Kirk and I were reminded that we need to reach out to welcome and encourage our neighbors, too.

I am blessed.

Praising God for His goodness.

Peaceful Vistas

We will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. — Micah 4:5

Torrey Pines State Park

Over the past few days, as I've explained to others how wonderful I feel and how quickly I seem to be healing, their concern is that I might be anxious as I wait for the pathology report. 

I'm certainly hopeful that the cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes, but I'm not anxious or worried. And I'm not sure why. But I have  a deep sense of peace that goes beyond anything I can understand.

I feel a calm assurance that God is in control. At the same time, I realize that I'm not in control and can have no impact on the future. But somehow knowing that God's got this means I don't have to worry. Whatever the outcome, I'm still in His hands. He'll see me through it all.

So my prayer is that God's will be done in our lives and that Kirk, Abby and I will be able to give Him the honor and glory no matter what the next steps may be.

Torrey Pines beach as seen from above is a favorite spot for our family to hike. The waves lapping up against the shore and the beach areas butting up against the cliffs provide such a scenic view of creation and the beauty around us. We are blessed to live near these awesome vistas — these reminders of God's love and care.

We are at peace.