The Lord Is Faithful in All He Does

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4-5 

Today is our friend Edna's birthday.

She has been an active prayer warrior for our family over the years.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, she had her church create this beautiful quilt for me.

The congregation tied prayer knots in each square and prayed for me.

Our neighbors were surprised at church that Sunday when they discovered the quilt they were praying over was for me!

That was five years ago, and today I'm either in remission or cured.

Praise God for strong friends such as Edna who covered me in prayer and showered Kirk and me with love.

We are blessed.

Give What You Have Decided in Your Heart

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:7 

Each of us should give God our time, talents, money, and lives.

After all, He is the Giver of all things.

He gave us all we have.

And our praise to Him is our gift of thanks and gratitude.

God is pleased when we give cheerfully.

Without grumbling or complaining.

After all, everything we have is His.

My Father Will Love Them

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. — John 14:23 

Jesus tells us that anyone who loves Him will obey Him.

And that person will also obey Jesus' teaching.

God the Father will love them.

And we will come to them.

We will make our home with them.

This is Phil Wickham, who we saw in concert last week.

It was a powerful worshipful experience.

The Word of the Lord Is Right and True

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 22:4-5 

God's Word is right and true.

He is faithful in all He does.

The Lord loves righteousness.

God love justice.

The earth is full of His unfailing love.

God Loves Righteousness

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:5 

Yesterday morning we hiked Iron Mountain.

It started off chilly, but by the time we reached the summit, the sun had come out en force.

Very fun hike with girlfriends of all ages.

And a gorgeous day.

It gave us a chance to catch up on our lives.

We talked about some of the books we've enjoyed.

Some of my favorites include, "The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet," "Caleb's Crossing" and "The Music Shop."

And from elementary school, "The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler."

The Lord loves righteousness and justice.

The earth is full of His unfailing love.

Anyone Who Loves God Must Love Their Brother

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. — 1 John 4:21 

God has commanded us to love others.

Sometimes it's hardest to love those who are members of our earthly families.

But God reminds us that anyone who loves God must also love their brother.

Not just their brothers in Christ.

And anyone who loves God must also love their sister.

Even if we don't get along.

Even when we don't agree.

We show our love for God by. how we show our love to others.

Even when it's not convenient.

Even when it's not part of my plan or I have other things to do.

Or other places to be.

Help me, Lord, to love you with all of my heart and mind.

The Father Loves the Son

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. — John 5:20

God loves His Son, Jesus.

He has adopted us into His family, and He is our Father, too.

Here's the bouquet Abby put together for us to celebrate Easter.

It was beautiful.

What a thoughtful gift.

God will show us even greater works than these.

We are amazed.

Jesus Lay Down His Life

 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. — John 10:17

Jesus loves me and gave His life for me.

He lay down His life and took it up again.

He came alive again and now lives in heaven.

Saturday I walked Lake Hodges with some friends.

This was the scenery.

What a beautiful day!

The Earth Is Full of God's Love

^{The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4}

^{God loves justice.}

^{His name is righteousness.}

^{He delights in mercy and goodness.} 

^{These are not easy characteristics for us to model.}

^{The earth is full of his unfailing love.}

^{He fills us with good things.}

^{This is the sunset we had just two days ago.} 

^Amazing.

Obey Jesus' Teaching

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. — John 14:23

It is not always easy to obey Jesus' teaching.

Especially since I don't even know the whole Bible by memory.

Even so, He asks me to get to know His Word, and I try to read it every day.

His Word guides me in the way I should go.

And His Holy Spirit lives inside me to guide and direct my thoughts and actions.

To convict me when I start down the wrong path.

And to keep me humble.

One way I can show my love to Jesus is to obey His teaching.

Help me, Lord, to obey.

Give Cheerfully

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:7

This weekend we turn in our pledges for the year.

When Kirk and I were first married, we decided to give a tithe of our income.

That became very hard the year that Kirk was let go from his job and was job hunting.

It was also difficult the year he went back to school to get his master's degree, Abby was a toddler, and we were living on just one income.

And when my job at Christian Ed Warehouse ended, we were once again relying on one income while paying for our daughter to attend a private Christian school.

So finances again were tight.

But each time, God provided over and above what we needed to tithe.

And amazingly, we were able to continue to support our Compassion and World Vision children during those times when finances were tough.

God showered his love upon us, even when we weren't sure if we would be able to keep giving.

Last Sunday we worshiped in a church that still used the woven offering baskets with long handles.

Kirk remembered them from his childhood.

God taught us that he provides. He has made us even more cheerful in our giving.

God Loves Us

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." — John 14:23

Friday I met with my surgeon for my 6-month checkup.

Everything looked good to him, and I'll see him again in 7 months.

In 6 months I'll have my first mammogram since my surgery so they can make sure everything is still fine.

Today was also my 6th radiation treatment. Just 14 left to go.

We headed over to the Habit in La Mesa for dinner. 

Kirk had to top his dinner off with ice cream.

We are blessed.

True Friends

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. — Proverbs 17:17

More flowers from our friend Lori.

These were in memory of Kirk's dad, Gary.

Our home smells like a florist shop once more.

And our table is filled with cards from well wishers and prayer warriors. 

Friend are offering to bring us meals or just meet for dinner.

I continue to be able to taste food, which is wonderful!

We are blessed with loving friends who surround us with love.

Singing Birds

Flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. — Song of Solomon 2:12

I'm listening to the birds chirping outside and watching the flowers and plants bloom after all of the rain.

And of course the weeds are poking their heads up, too, trying to compete for a place in the ground before our plants take over.

The weeds in my life try to poke their heads out, too, competing for my thoughts. But God helps me focus on His love and care for me.

He will continue to guide me through the days to come, the cancer treatment, recovery, and hearing the pathology report.

Sunday, I was reminded of His presence once again as the toddlers and preschoolers sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "God, Our Father, We Thank You for Our Many Blessings."

I'm thankful for the many blessings God has given to me and to our family.

Gratefully singing.