In Christ You Have Been Brought to Fullness

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. — Colossians 2:9-10

Christ embodies the fullness of the Deity.

All the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form through Him.

And in Christ, I have been brought to fullness.

He is the head over every power.

And He is over every authority.

God's Mighty Hand

You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.  — Jeremiah 32:21

God's mighty hand reaches down to care for me.

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.

The Lord Is With Me

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? — Psalm 118:5-6

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I cried to Him.

Especially when I discovered I would have to go through chemo and lose my hair.

He brought me into a spacious place.

He restored my hair and my health.

Through it all, He gave me strength.

I felt His presence.

The Lord is with me still!

I will not be afraid.

I will not worry.
 

He will give me His peace.

You Have Been Brought Near

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. — Ephesians 2:13

I have been searching for a new writer for our company for the past three months.

Today my candidate accepted our offer.

He will start in two weeks.

I am praising God for His goodness and His answer to prayer. 

I am also praying for my friend who is still looking for a place to rent for her family.

And for our neighbor Wanda who lost her husband last month.

Today was his memorial ceremony at Miramar cemetery. 

He was 90 years old and had suffered from dementia.

He and Wanda had been married for 67 years.

They were wonderful neighbors and special friends.

We  got to see her grandson who used to shoot hoops in their back yard.

He is now living in Denver and doing well.

God is good and we are blessed.

The Hope of Eternal Life

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. — Titus 2-3

God promised us before the beginning of creation that we have the hope of eternal life.

People may not always be able to keep their promises.

But God always keeps His promises. He does not lie.

He has brought to light the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

We worshiped online today, sheltering at home with our family.

It was hot and sunny, but I got out for a walk with a friend at 7:30, before it got too warm.

We saw a small bunny running our way up the sidewalk.

He had no fear.

We can have no fear knowing that God is with us.

An Instrument of Righteousness

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. — Romans 6:13

Today I have a doctor's appointment.

The lump on my arm has gotten better but has not gone away completely.

So she suggeseted I come in and let her take a look.

If it is lymphedema, she can refer me to a lymphedema therapist who can massage the area and give me suggestions for helping it to go away or at least not get worse.

I have stopped jumping rope and lifting weights.

Now I try to get out and walk the neighborhood instead.

Sunday morning I walked for 2.9 miles and then another mile in the afternoon with Abby.

Monday Abby and I walked again.

Tonight I will record some more anthems for our virtual church services.

I am working to offer myself to God as an instrument of righteousness.

Finding His will and following Him is a challenge, but He gives me opportunities to stay in His Word and to talk with Him in prayer.

God is merciful.

God My Hope

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. — Psalm 71:5-6

Today Kirk took some photos of our roses.

They are very happy with the weather we've been having.

And they are opening and budding like crazy.

God is our Sovereign Lord.

I have relied on him from a very young age.

He brought me forth from my mother.

He has been my hope and my confidence.