Seek Good, Not Evil

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. — Amos 5:14-15

God is with us.

And He calls us to seek good, not evil.

Even stronger, to hate evil and love good.

Maintain justice.

And perhaps God will have mercy on us as He had on the remnant of Joseph.

Kirk has been suffering from a cough for the past nine days, poor guy.

Abby and I are now healthy.

We pray for his recovery and for sleep. 

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12 

Paul wrote to the Philippians to warn them to stand strong against opposition.

And to continue to preach the gospel in spite of the world's reaction.

Jesus said something similar in Matthew.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you.

Our friends serving in other countries deal with persecution.

I haven't experienced it much here.

God calls us to rejoice and be glad.

Great is our reward in heaven.

Humbly Accept the Word

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. — James 1:21 

God calls us to get rid of all moral filth.

And to get rid of the evil that is so prevalent.

Instead, He commands us to humbly accept the Word.

His Word is planted in our hearts.

And it is the only thing that can save us.

God's Word, holy Scripture.

God Guards the Lives of His Faithful Ones

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 97:10 

God guards our lives.

He delivers us from the hand of wicked ones.

And from evil that surrounds us.

We love Him and hate evil.

He watches over us and cares for us.

Happy Birthday!

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. — I Corinthians 13:6-7

Yesterday we went to a wedding, and this was one of the Scriptures read during the service.

We had such a fun time with friends old and new.

Here's Kirk holding baby Joseph, who's just as content as can be.

Today we celebrate Kirk's birthday.

An amazing father, husband, friend, brother and son.

Wishing him the best day ever!

Kirk's love, similar to God our Father's, always protect, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

It rejoices with the truth.

Put on the Full Armor of God

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. — Ephesians 6:12-13

We are only visitors to this world.

It's not our home, thank goodness.

We don't struggle agains humankind but again the spiritual forces of evil.

God has let the evil powers run rampant in our world today.

But we know the end of the story.

And He reigns supreme over earth and heaven and all creation.

When I remember to put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation, I am protected from the evil around me.

When I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, I'm able to stand against it all.

And the full armor of God protects me but also helps me stand.

The Sword of the Spirit gives me the protection of God's Word to guide and direct my life.

Seek Good, Not Evil

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.  — Amos 5:14-15 

God commands us to look for good that we may live.

Then the Lord will be with us.

God asks us to hate evil and love good.

To maintain justice in the courts.

To love our neighbors as ourselves.

Rejoice!

Live as Free People

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. — 1 Peter 2:15-16

It is God's will that we should do good to others.

He calls us to live as free people.

But He cautions us not to use our freedom for evil.

Rather, we are to live as God's slaves, following His lead and obeying Him.

That our actions and good deeds would help silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

He Has Reconciled You by Christ's Death

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. — Colossians 1:21-22 

Yesterday for Easter we were overwhelmed with flowers from family and friends.

These are the beautiful sunflowers my niece Carly brought for us.

They brighten the room!

We had a fun time with those who were able to join us - about 14 of our closest family members and friends.

Once we were alienated from God.

We were enemies of Him because of our sins.

But now God has reconciled us to Himself in Christ's death.

Now Jesus can present us holy in God's sight.

Through Jesus we are without blemish and free from accusation.

We celebrate Easter because Jesus died for us and came alive again.

Those Who Plan What Is Good Find Love

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. — Proverbs 14:22

Those who plan to do evil go astray.

Tonight Vladimir Putin began air attacks on Kiev.

We are praying that his plan will be thwarted.

And the forces of good will prevail.

Those who plan what is good will find love.

And they will find faithfulness.

We are praying for the safety of the civilians on both sides.

That God will wrap His loving arms around them and give them his peace that passes understanding.

Thank you, Lord.

Those Who Plan What Is Good Find Love

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. — Proverbs 14:22

Those people who plan to do evil go astray from God's plan.

But those who plan what is good, find that God's love surrounds them.

And they find faithfulness in God.

Here is a Lunar new year dragon in the lobby of our hotel.

We got away with friends this weekend, and had a fun time.

We couldn't stop laughing.

God is good.

Love Rejoices

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. — 1 Corinthians 13:6

Our niece Maggie celebrated her birthday yesterday in Virginia.

This was also my mom's birthday.

And my boss at Christian Ed. Publishers.

My mom was my mentor and my Christian example.

She would stay up late when I was in elementary and high school just to talk.

She would answer my questions about God, Jesus, and the world.

She was also a singer, singing tenor in the choir my dad conducted.

My parents used to joke that she was the only pregnant tenor in his choir!

Live As Free People

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. — 1 Peter 2:16

God sent Jesus to set us free from sin.

Therefore, we should live as free people, not as those tied to sin and darkness.

Living in freedom means having the ability to make right choices.

To live in God's will.

As slaves of God.

Not trying to cover up our evil ways.

But to confess them and to turn away from sin.

To turn toward God.

Live as free people.

The Lord Will Strengthen You

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. — 2 Thessalonians 3:3

God is faithful.

I am not.

Even when I try, I fail.

Tuesday I got new compression sleeves for my arms.

When I went to pick them up, the cashier commented on all the supplies I was getting.

My insurance covers them all, which is amazing to me.

I got two new pairs of knee-high compression stockings plus a new pair of gloves.

If I'm eligible for a surgical procedure on the veins in my legs, I'll need to get one more set of thigh-high compression stockings.

That I'll have to pay for myself.

Even so, how blessed am I that every 6 months I get new compression garments.

On Mother's Day I forgot I was wearing a sleeve when I posted my picture.

One of Kirk's teacher friends noticed and invited me to join a lymphedema group.

God protects me from cancer, from injury, and from the evil one.

Thank you, Lord!

Blessed Is the One Who Keeps the Sabbath

Blessed is the one who does this the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil. — Isaiah 56:2

Today our choir will return to sing for our church service for the first time in months.

The congregation will still be in the courtyard.

So the music will be piped out for them to hear.

And the service will be available online on Sunday.

On Thursday we'll record our Easter service.

We are trying to hold the Sabbath fast, whether we celebrate it on Saturday or Sunday.

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12

I have not known persecution as some of my missionary friends have.

They are on the frontlines of the battle ground.

In other countries, freedom of religion is not a right.

We are blessed to live in a country where it is not only our right, but it is protected.

Thank you, Lord!

Please place a hedge of protection around the missionaries who in countries where they are persecuted for their religious beliefs.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

God's Great Promises

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Peter 1:4

Tonight as I left work, I was greeted by this amazing sunset.

It reminded me of God's great love for us.

He wants me to participate in the divine nature.

Next week will be my final Herceptin I-V treatment.

They scheduled it earlier than usual, so I will take a few hours off work and enjoy dinner with my family before I head out for choir.

I will also get to ring the bell.

God has brought me through this journey.

I am thankful.

Love Is Kind

Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. — I Corinthians 14:4-5

Kirk and Brad are enjoying their time skiing at Mammoth Mt.

It is cold and windy, but they are hoping for a fun time on the slopes.

Kirk's love for our family is kind and loving.

He is not puffed up, but considerate and caring.

Our God is even more so.

My love for them should be the same.

Help me, Lord, to be kind, not puffed up. To think no evil and to not let myself be easily provoked.

Love Good

Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice. — Amos 5:15

God calls us to hate evil.

And to love good.

As sinful creatures, that is not always easy.

He also commands us to establish justice.

That is easy for those we care about.

It's more difficult to establish justice with these we don't respect.

But even when people treat us badly, we are commanded to be just and love good.

Thankfully, God can help us to do just that.

Words of Encouragement

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  — Psalm 23:1, 4

Sometimes when we go through difficult times, God is preparing us so that we can encourage others who are going through similar situations in the future. So many people have reached out to me during this cancer diagnosis, and I am thankful, even through the tears.


Ann, one of my many thoughtful college classmates, reached out to me in January to let me know she was praying for me and had gone through the same thing last year. Even down to the same HER2+ diagnosis.

Here's what she emailed to tell me:

I am so sorry for your cancer diagnosis. Two years ago, I was in your shoes, right down to the HER2 positive cancer! One day you are going along just fine, and the next day your life takes an abrupt turn. Please remember this is not a death sentence, just a turn in the road. I had chemo first, then a lumpectomy, then radiation. I finished in June of this year. My cancer is gone. I tell you all of this to hopefully encourage you that while it will be a hard journey, it will not last forever and you will be ok! God got me through the ordeal and gave me the strength to make it all the way through. I am sure the same will be true for you.

I would be honored if I can help you in any way. If you would like to call me and talk, cry or listen, I am here for you. I look forward to hugging you as a fellow cancer survivor at our 40th reunion!

Please know I will be praying for you and am here if you need someone who knows what you are going through.

What a beautiful testimony to God's power and strength to see us through even the darkest times. He goes with us, even to places we would rather not have to journey. And what comforting words from a friend across the country who is covering me with prayer.

This photo shows Abby celebrating her climb to the top of Potato Chip Rock. Today I am celebrating Ann's difficult climb through chemo and radiation. God gave her the strength to travel through the valley and come out cancer free.

God is with me, I lack nothing.