Anyone Who Comes to God Must Believe That He Exists

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. — Hebrews 11:6

Happy May Day!

Our roses have started blooming.

And our geraniums are bursting from their pots.

Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists.

Looking at His creation, it's hard to understand how someone can't believe.

Without faith it's impossible to please God.

Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists.

Whoever Lives By the Truth Comes Into the Light

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 

Whoever lives by God's truth comes into the light.

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.

Wisdom That Comes from Heaven

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. — James 3:17

Wisdom that comes from heaven is pure.

I've been reading Song of Songs.

Although it may not have been written by Solomon, it is written in the style of his poetry.

And he was the wisest man on the earth.

Wisdom from God is peace-loving and considerate.

It is submissive, full of mercy and good fruit.

God's wisdom is impartial and sincere.

Give me wisdom, Lord, to follow you each day.

Here are the Rogers boys with Chase and Gary several years ago.

Seven days ago we remembered Gary's passing three years ago.

It's hard to believe he's been gone so long. 

We miss him. And Rita.

I Lift My Eye to the Mountains

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes and look toward the mountains.

A reminder of God's creation and His love for me.

Here's one of the beautiful trees blooming at Whitworth a few weeks ago.

We visited the campus while we were in Spokane for James and Katie's wedding.

Very fun to be back at the university.

Kirk gave a tour to some of our friends.

The beautiful scenery reminds me that my help comes from God.

God alone is the Maker of heaven and earth.

And of me!

My Soul Finds Rest in God

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. — Psalm 62:1 

Even when things seem to crash around me, my soul finds rest in God.

He delivered the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt.

His midwives delivered the Hebrew baby boys, even when they were ordered to kill them by the king.

And He delivers our world from evil.

So I find rest in Him.

He is my deliverer.

When my friends and their relatives are diagnosed with cancer,

When my friends and acquaintances lose their loved ones.

When we see their parents become ill, go through strokes and dementia,

God is our constant.

He carries us through the hard times.

Just as this koala can feel safe and secure in his tree, I can feel secure in the knowledge of God's love.

Praise the Lord!

Salvation comes from Him.

Filled with Righteousness

And this is my prayer: That you may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. — Philippians 1:11

At the end of this week, tomorrow, Rosh Hoshanah begins, the Jewish High Holy Days.

The ram's horn or shofar is sounded.

Rosh Hashanah literally means "head [of] the year.",

It is the Jewish New Year. 

The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally "day of shouting or blasting."

It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days specified by Leviticus 23:23–32 that occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. 

It is a time of reflection.

During this time, it is my prayer that we may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

That we may give God all glory and praise. 

God Teaches Us the Right Way

His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. — Isaiah 28:26, 29

Mother's Day with Gary at Siesta Drive 2013

God really does instruct us.

He teaches me the right way.

Today I had the unpleasant task of letting someone go at work.

It was very draining, but it was the right thing to do.

My employee had not been going in the right way.

It's hard to see someone heading down the wrong path.

I asked God for wisdom to handle the situation and He, of course, provided.

Now I'm exhausted but very thankful that he continues to teach me to do right.

Kirk made us a delicious chicken fried rice dinner — a wonderful way to end the evening.

His plan is wonderful.

His wisdom is magnificent.

The Lord Is Maker of Earth

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:2

Yesterday was Leap Day.

Today is the first day of March!

The past year has sped by.

I have almost completed all of my cancer treatments.

I will have a heart scan tomorrow and one more Herceptin I-V in two weeks.

My energy is completely back, and my hair is growing in.

The exercise program I go to at the Y twice a week and the walking I've been doing have kept me in good shape.

Singing in our church choir has also helped with my breath support.

God has blessed me.

Faith in the Name of Jesus

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. — Acts 3:16

We have faith in the name of Jesus.

He made people strong.

He healed many.

He raised the dead back to life.

He healed me of my cancer.

And he healed my brother of his cancer, too.

We are thankful.