Those Who Love the Lord

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 

Those who love the Lord hate evil.

God guards the lives of His faithful ones.

He delivers us form the hand of the wicked.

Even though we don't deserve it.

He loves us in spite of ourselves.

God Comforts Us

God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  — 2 Corinthians 1:4

Today we heard that our former neighbor passed away last week.

He and his wife had celebrated 67 years of marriage.

And Ralph had just turned 90.

We were blessed to know him and to have him and Wanda as our neighbors. 

We miss them.

God comforts us in all our troubles.

He does that so that we in turn can comfort others.

He gives us His strength so that we can pass it on to others.

If We Die, We Die for the Lord

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 13:7-8

Last night our friend Dave lost his wife.

Kathie was a wonderful friend, wife and mother of Katie, Andy, Hannah and Madison.

She had Hannah just a few months before I had Abby.

And she graciously let me borrow her maternity clothes, which tripled my wardrobe! 

Dave arrived at her side just in time to hold her in his arms as she went to be with her Lord and Savior.

Through our tears, we rejoice that she is now at peace in heaven.

With no more pain or anxiety or sorrow.

We grieve with the family — it's so hard to lose your mom and wife.

Dave has been at her side for over 15 years now following a car accident on September 5 in which she was paralyzed and no longer able to communicate fully. 

We had all been celebrating at a pool party, and someone took a beautiful photo of Kathie with her girls Madison and Hannah on our friends' deck before the accident.

Requiring constant medical attention in care facilities since then, Kathie also received the undivided attention of Dave and her family. 

Dave even remodeled his home so she could spend time at home whenever possible. 

Their daughter Madison was also injured during the accident, and spent lots of time in surgeries recovering.

She has a beautiful little boy now.

I know Kathie would be and was very proud of her children and grandchildren and all they have each accomplished.

In Dave’s words ‘tonight… she moved into the arms of Jesus’.

We Live for the Lord

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 14:7-8

On Sunday Abby and I headed back to the Y to swim.

The temperature outside was once again very warm.

Though it was not up to 100 as it was a day or two ago.

Even so, the pool water felt wonderful.

And our 45 minutes flew by.

We shared a lane, but it was one of the longer ones pictured here, so it was not too inconvenient.

We came back tired but refreshed.

Praising God for another day together.

We Do Not Compare Ourselves

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. — 2 Corinthians 10:12

Today my friend Sheri and I will start a new middle school Bible study about not comparing ourselves with our sisters.

We will study the relationship between Rachel and Leah, two sisters who were both marrried to Jacob. 

While he loved Rachel, God blessed Leah with children.

And she kept hoping that the next child would endear her to Jacob, her husband.

As sisters, we compare ourselves and come up short every time.

God does not want us to compare ourselves. 

In fact, He tells us that is not wise.

Here is my sister Becky with my nephew Alex.

Thank you, Lord, for helping us understand Your Word.

Our Competence Comes from God

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. — 2 Corinthians 3:5

I am not competent in myself to claim anything for myself.

My competence comes from God.

On Sunday I sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" for our worship service.

You can watch it on LiveStream about 59:35 minutes into the service:
https://livestream.com/FPCSD/events/8914821/videos/199466636

Our new pastor was preaching a sermon about Tamar and Judah, but he told me the theme was God's care.

When he mentioned that, I immediately thought of this song, which ends with "I know He watches me."

During the sermon I was doubting the choice, thinking "Because He Lives" might have been more appropriate.

I asked God to communicate the song's message through my singing.

I realize I'm not competent on my own.

God helped me communicate His message through the song, and our pastor Jeff mentioned how perfectly it fit with his sermon.

That was definitely a God thing.

He can use me as He sees fit. My competence comes from God.

He is worthy of our praise!