The Heart Is Deceitful

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 

God searches our hearts.

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.

There Is No One Who Does Good

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. — Psalm 14:1 

Only the fool says "There is no God."

Even the most simple among us can see God in His creation.

But the fool ignores his own eyes.

He is corrupt.

His works are vile.

There is no on who does good.

Only God's Son, jesus.

King of the Nations

They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations." — Revelation 15:3

The angels held harps and sang.

They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb Jesus.

They praised God and worshiped Him.

Great and marvelous are His deeds, the Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways.

God is King of the nations.

Humility That Comes From Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. — James 3:13 

Who is wise among us?

Who is understanding?

Let them show it by their good life.

And let them show their wisdom by deeds done in humility.

Their humility that comes from God's wisdom.

Great and Mighty God

Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind. — Jeremiah 32:18-19 

Today we had an outdoor worship service at Waterfront Park down by the harbor.

The weather was beautiful and lots of people turned out.

Our great and mighty God is the Lord.

His purposes are great.

His deeds are mighty.

His eyes are open to the ways of all mankind.

Welcome, August!

Come and See What God Has Done

Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. — Psalm 65:5-6

Come and see what God has done.

He has shown His awesome deeds to us.

He turned the sea into dry land.

The Israelites passed through the waters on foot.

Their enemies were destroyed.

Come, let us rejoice in God our Savior.

He is risen!

He is risen indeed.

Happy Easter!

Awesome Deeds

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! — Psalm 66:3

Our friends in Ohio sent us these photos of the cherry blossoms today.

How awesome are God's deeds.

He created the beautiful flowers.

And He created me.

Yesterday I had a minor surgery on my knee.

To remove the area around a mole they removed in February.

Since it was on the kneecap, I saw a plastic surgeon.

She did an amazing job, and the sewed-up incision was really beautiful.

Tonight we sing Rutter's Requiem for our Tenebrae service.

Praising God with music.

How awesome are His deeds!

 

God Answers Us With Awesome Deeds

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. — Psalm 65:5 

God our Father answers us with awesome deeds.

His acts are righteous.

He is our Savior.

Jesus is the hope of the world.

The hope of all the ends of the earth.

The hope of the farthest seas.

Happy Birthday, Rudy!

God Has Performed Mighty Deeds

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. — Luke 1:51

God has performed mighty deeds.

He has scattered the proud.

But He has wrapped me in His loving arms.

Last night I had a fun time at dinner with friends.

Afterward, I found out one of my friends has a coworker who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I offered to give her my contact info in case she wants to reach out.

In case I can answer any of her questions.

Today I discovered a friend of mine also has been diagnosed with breast cancer - two spots in one breast.

Thankfully it's stage 1. 

She will find out more details in the next few weeks.

I am praying for both of them and for my boss's sister-in-law who is struggling through chemo as the result of a rare breast cancer.

God is our great physician through every trial.

I think one reason He had me go through my journey was so I can comfort others on theirs.

Thank you, Lord.

Live Good Lives

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. — 1 Peter 2:12

It is not easy to live a good life.

God is perfect, but I'm nowhere close.

Even so, God can help me to do good deeds.

And I want to glorify Him in everything I do.

Others may see my good deeds and glorify God, too.

When I am following His will for my life instead of going off in my own direction.

When I am asking Him to direct me.

He Has Lifted the Humble

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. — Luke 1:51-52

God has performed mighty deeds.

He has done great things for us.

And has lifted up the humble.

Including me.

During this Advent season, we thank Him for sending His Son for us.

Jesus, our Savior.

Glorious and Majestic

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. — Psalm 111:3

God's works are glorious.

The Lord's deeds are majestic.

His righteousness lasts forever.

God's love reaches to the ends of the earth.

His mercy endures always.

He provides just what we need.

And He blesses us again and again.

His abundance overflows.

And we are blessed with His goodness.

 

Spur Each Other On

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. — Hebrews 10:23-24

It is not always easy to think of others first.

But when we hold on to the hope we have in Jesus, He is faithful.

He helps us spur each other on toward love.

The Holy Spirit helps us consider how we can do good deeds for each other.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.

Glorious Deeds

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. — Psalm 111:3

Doves in Tree

Monday we walked outside and saw our neighbor's tree filled with doves.

Those are not our favorite birds, by any means.

But what an awesome sight to see ten of them in the tree.

Can you find them all?

God's deeds are glorious and majestic.

His righteousness lasts forver.

Thanks be to God!

Call Upon God's Name with Thanksgiving

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! — 1 Chronicles 16:8

Today we give thank to the Lord for all He has done!

Our city is supposed to have rain, but the sun is out this morning.

We are thankful for the rain, too, and the green grass and flowers it helps to grow.

I started making pies two days ago, and Abby helped me finish last night.

God has given us the ability to taste good food and to enjoy it with others in fellowship.

He has overwhelmed us with good things.

When I call on His name, He answers me.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Who Is Understanding?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. — James 3:13

From Abby's alma mater, Whitworth University, we received this beautiful prayer.

Thanksgiving:
Lord, you call us to follow; to turn away from our own selfish interests, and to be disciples and follow after You, even if the path is difficult to see. We are grateful that you lead us, even when it is in a direction that we would never have chosen for ourselves. Help us not to be so hesitant to follow, and to see with the eyes of faith.

Teach us to follow without fear, knowing that You are always with us, leading the way.
Amen.

I have my 12th radiation treatment today and will meet with my radiation doctor to make sure everything is going as planned.

So far no discomfort. I'm expecting some fatigue to kick in at the end of the week.

We are so thankful for the prayers that have sustained me well over the past nine months since my cancer diagnosis.

This prayer was such a perfect synopsis of our lives over this period and God's mercy.

I am grateful.

Kindnesses of the Lord

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us — yes, the many good things he has done. — Isaiah 63:7-8

The Lord has done many good things for us.

I will tell of the kindnesses God has done for me.

I will shout out the deeds for which he is to be praised.

He has seen me through my chemo treatments. He has removed the cancer from my body.

He has given me the strength to sing his praises.

He has overwhelmed me with blessings.

God's Wonders

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. — Psalm 40:5

Flowers from our garden, scones, and blueberries

On Saturday Liz and I prepared food and picked roses to take to our friend Marie. We had a fun time laughing together and reminiscing.

Liz made a delicious quiche and I made scones. Marie had apricot jam. We brought strawberries and blueberries.

The best part was just reconnecting with good friends who feel like family.

Thank you, God, for the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us!

God Is Awesome

We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior. —Psalm 65:4-5

Today I met with my oncologist, a wonderful doctor, Jenny Dewitt, who was very encouraging and even gave me a  hug.

She explained that the best course of treatment for my cancer will be chemo followed by radiation. 

They would like to start chemo in the next few weeks and continue for 4 1/2 months, with one chemo treatment every 3 weeks. 

After that they will do radiation for a few weeks. In a couple of weeks I will attend a class to explain all of the things I can expect with chemo treatments.

I will plan our trip to Spokane for Abby's graduation in May and then call to schedule my chemo  accordingly.

We are filled with the good things of God's house.