Prayers and Thanksgiving for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2

God calls us to pray for all people.

Even those who hate us and want war instead of peace.

Thank you, Lord, for each person.

Everyone is valuable and precious in your sight.

We ask for your intercession that wars may cease and conflicts may end.

So your peace will cover the world.

And so all will live in godliness and holiness.

Worshiping you as Lord and King.

We Have These Promises

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1 

Salamanca, Spain

In 2 Corinthians chapter 6, God tells us that we are His coworkers. 

God has said,

"I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Since God has made these promises to us, we should follow and obey Him.

And purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our body.

And also purify ourselves from anything that might contaminate our spirit.

Perfecting holiness out of our love for God.

Letting Him work in us to make us holy out of reverence for God.

Prayers for All People

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

Today is election day.

We are so blessed to live in a country where we have the opportunity to vote for our elected officials.

What a contrast to the Soviet Union and other countries where dialog and differences are stifled and people are jailed or killed for their beliefs.

Even though our family mailed our ballots in several weeks ago, we'll find out the results this evening.

Most of them, anyway.

Despite the results, God calls us to pray for all those in authority, even when we don't agree with them.

We can still intercede on their behalf so that God's will might be done in their lives and in our country.

God calls us to give thanks for them and their service.

I especially pray for the poll workers, that He will surround them with His protection and peace.

That He will keep them safe and help us thank them for their service.

That we may live peaceful lives in godliness and holiness.

So that everything I do may glorify Him.

Let Us Purify Ourselves

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1

We have God's promises.

Therefore, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our bodies.

And from everything that contaminates our spirits.

God molds us into His handiwork,

Perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Let us purify ourselves.

And follow God's path.

Wisdom from God

It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. — I Corinthians 1:30

Because God has chosen me, I am a child of His.

And I am in Christ Jesus.

He has become for us wisdom from God.

Jesus is my righteousness.

He is holy and my redeemer.

Today we went for a 5 mile flat hike along La Jolla beach.

A beautiful day for a walk with girlfriends new and old.

Abby and I did a hike along this beach a few years ago.

God has blessed us with beautiful beaches to explore.

Live in Peace with Everyone

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. — Hebrews 12:14

God calls us to live in peace with everyone.

That includes people with whom we disagree.

It is not always easy.

God also calls us to be holy.

He tells us that without holiness we will not see the lord.

But we are sinners; on our own we cannot be holy.

Jesus stands in our place before God. He is our advocate.

He gives us the ability to live in peace with strangers and enemies alike.

My Antonia

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. — Romans 6:19

On Thursday, I will meet with my book club on zoom.


After that, we'll have choir via zoom.



The book we are reading is My Antonia by Willa Cather.

It gives an interesting glimpse of Nebraska fields and life on the American prairie.

Willa Cather moved to Nebraska when she was just ten years old.

So she writes this novel with a first-hand look at life in Nebraska in the late 1800s.

The Result Is Eternal Life

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. — Romans 6:22

Sunday I went for a walk around the neighborhood with two friends.

We wore our masks and social distanced ourselves.

And we had a great time together.

Kirk, Abby and I watched our church service together.

I sang the anthem, "Day By Day and With Each Passing Moment." https://livestream.com/fpcsd/events/9038961/videos/206197623

Our pastor preached on Psalm 71 about growing old and finding purpose in life.

Very timely as Kirk will be retiring in June.

Later, I had a zoom meeting with two of my choir friends.

We had a great time together catching up.

Then I got a call from a friend who had applied for a position with my company.

They offered him the job on Friday.

What a huge answer to prayer.

God had blessed me with wonderful friends.

He hears and answers my prayers.

And He guides me each day.

Remembering Mom Rita

Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. — Romans 8:22

Today is the anniversary of Mom Rita's death in 2011.

That was 9 years ago, but it seems like just yesterday.

Kirk and I  miss our moms very much.

So we created a slideshow of some of our favorite family photos.

You can view it here:

https://plus.smilebox.com/play?g=3f39cbc4-523e-489f-aafc-08bb78a264ba&sbid=3466

A loving tribute to Rita and Gary.

We found old photos of their family, friends, and Rita as a baby, a young child, a teenager, a new bride, and a young mom.

As well as photos of their 50th wedding anniversary.

We have been blessed with a wonderful family and very special friends.

Glory to the Lord

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. — Psalm 29:2

Monday we got a box of popcorn.

Not just any popcorn, but Jolly Time white - my family's favorite.

Kirk and Abby and our entire family are major fans.

We have popcorn almost every night.

Kirk's dad made the best popcorn with his Whirlypop.

My dad made popcorn, too, right out of the pan.

So we all grew up with it, and it's big hit.

The box held 12 two-pound bags of popcorn, which will last us for about 6 months.

But we are sharing it with friends and family, very selectively.

Here's what Kirk posted,
"T.P. be damned. Now we are good. A case of Jolly Time White Popcorn arrived today. We were down to our last bag. We are now GOOD TO GO! It is a Rogers' thing. Hope you all are safe and healthy. Prayers and blessings. Kirk

The Beauty of Holiness

He appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever. — 2 Chronicles 20:21

On Sunday I made whole wheat cinnamon craisin bread.

Our neighbors brought us lemons and lemon poppy seed cake from their son's birthday celebration.

We enjoyed both.

Who doesn't love bread drizzled with a sugar glaze and flavored with cinnamon, cranberries and raisins?

God has blessed us with thoughtful neighbors who support us when we need it most.

Praise the Lord!

His mercy endures forever.

Worship the Lord

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! — 1 Chronicles 16:29

On Sunday our worship service was down to a bare minimum of participants.

It was available via live-stream since the congregation stayed home.

Our governor mandated that we shelter in place on Friday.

So here's the link to the service: https://livestream.com/fpcsd/events/9038961

Greta presented an awesome sermon.

I sang "I Surrender All" accompanied by our interim music director, Rodney Girvin.

God knew that this song would go well with the sermon, "I Thirst."
 I sang the first hymn, "To God Be the Glory," with our other soloists.

Luigi did a great job on the other hymns and the praise song with our drummer, Joel.

Adam, Neil and Dave did the sound and tech. Isa had the video camera.

Pastor Jerry led the welcome, prayers, communion, children's sermon, and benediction.

It was strange to have no congregation there.

But God was there and with each person who watched online.





He is with us now!

Promises

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1

God has given us an abundance of promises.

I'm not very good at keeping promises.

But God keeps every one of His promises. I can count on Him.

How reassuring is that!

His rainbow is a promise to never flood the whole earth again.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes about more of God's promises.

Since we have them, Paul encourages us to purifiy ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.

That is almost impossible for me to do.

But God sends His Holy Spirit to guide and direct my thoughts and actions in the way He would have me go.

God's promises are true and good.

May My Meditation Be Pleasing

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. — Psalm 104:34

We rejoice in the Lord and in the beauty of his holiness.

Here's the beautiful sunset we saw from our patio last week. 

Yesterday we filled our patio with friends and family and had a fun dinner together. 

After the fireworks we headed back home for s'mores. Max tried them for the first time, and they were a hit.

What an incredible world we live in.

Our God is amazing.

We are blessed.

Sing a New Song

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. — Psalm 98:1

Still no pain today. I haven't taken an Ibuprofen since last night, but I carried one with me to church this morning, just in case. Prayer won out, and the pill is still untouched.

Pastor Jerry's sermon was wonderful — calling us to pray and to develop our relationship to God, encouraging us to grow in our discipleship and in God's holiness as we talk to him in prayer.  Luke 11:1-13.

You can watch the service here: https://www.fpcsd.org/watch-8-30am-service

Tonight I'll be joining our choir for a dramatic presentation in word and song of some great men of the Bible: Moses, Daniel, Joshua and Saul. 

Our friend and writer, Henk Vigeveno has created the scripts and has brought together a talented cast to bring these historical figures to life. Combined with some of my favorite music by Ken Medema, Moses Hogan, and others, it will be an uplifting experience.

And the flowers I received yesterday were created by my friend LaVonne at Adorations Botanical Artistry, brightening our home with joy and covering our family in prayer and God's love.

We are thankful.