God's Way Is Perfect

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. — Psalm 18:30 

God's Word is flawless.

Scripture is inerrant and true.

God's way is perfect.

He shields all who take refuge in Him.

Yesterday we celebrated our friend Donna's 90th birthday.

Her daughter-in-law had these cute cookies made for all the guests.

It brought back lots of memories of her husband Ralph and his astute Bible teaching.

And his book, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences. 

Happy 90th Birthday, Donna!

Lord, I Will Exalt You

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1 

The Lord has done wonderful things for me and for the world.

He planned these things long ago.

And His plans are awesome.

You are my God.

I will exalt you and praise your name.

In perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things.

We had a fun time at the musical MJ last night.

Wonderful music from the Jackson 5, Soul Train, and Michael Jackson.

The music and dancing was so animated.

What a fun evening.

Perfect Love Dives Out Fear

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18 

Celebrating My Final Chemo 2020

One of my friends was diagnosed with breast cancer recently.

What an upheaval.

A rollercoaster ride of emotions.

And some fear.

But God's love provides an undercurrent of calm even in the midst of turmoil.

My prayer is that she will feel that reassurance covering her during all of the tests and uncertainty.

That God will give her and her medical team wisdom to know and prescribe the best treatments for her.

And that the cancer will be wiped completely from her as a result.

Through it all that God would be glorified and that her faith would grow stronger.

God's perfect love casts out fear.

Even our fears of the unknown.

Do Not Conform to This World

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2

This is a tough verse to swallow.

It's hard not to confirm to the pattern of the world.

But God is ready to tranform us into something much better.

Renewing our mind so we can test and approve God's will for us.

His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Yesterday, my writing team took me out to lunch to celebrate Boss's Day.

I am blessed by my coworkers and friends.

Be Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2

God calls us to be in the world but not of it.

To be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ.

Not to conform to the pattern of this world.

All this so we will be able to test our for ourselves what God's will is for us.

To approve what He has in mind for us.

God's good, pleasing and perfect will for you and me.

Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3

God will keep us in perfect peace.

Even when the world around us is in war and chaos.

When we trust in the Lord,

His Holy Spirit fills us with a deep peace beyond our understanding.

When we keep our minds steadfast on Him.

The Lord of Peace.

God's Way Is Perfect

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. — Psalm 18:30 

God's way is perfect.

And His Word is flawless.

He shields everyone who takes refuge in Him.

Here's the Spain cathedral we sang in.

Beautiful place to worship our God.

Lord, You Are My God!

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1 

God is the Lord our God.

He is my God.

And my Lord — the Lord of my life.

I will exalt the Lord and praise His name.

In perfect faithfulness He has done wonderful things.

God is the Lord of today and of things planned long ago.

I will exalt Him throughout each day.

He is most worthy of praise!

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:8 

God is love.

There is no fear in God or in love.

Perfect love drives out fear.

The person who fears is not made perfect in love.

Fear has to do with punishment rather than love.

God is love.

We love because God first loved us.

Do Not Conform to the Pattern of This World

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:1 

It's so easy to conform to the pattern of this world.

But God wants something better for me.

He wants to transform me into His image and renew my mind.

He wants me to be able to test, discern, and approve what God's will is.

We already know that His will is good, pleasing and perfect.

God knows what's best for me.

Keep in Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3 

God will keep us in perfect peace.

Even when our minds are racing furiously.

Even when the world around us comes crashing in.

And especially when our friends and family are going through tough times.

God's peace overcomes them all.

He keeps our minds steadfast.

And we trust in Him.

God's Way Is Perfect

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. — Psalm 18:30

God's way is perfect.

His Word is flawless.

He always keeps His promises.

And He guides me in the way I should go.

He shields me from disaster and all who take refuge in Him.

He is my rock and my fortress.

This was our view of Lake Murray from the top of Cowles Mt. when Abby and I hiked up on Monday.

Beautiful!

Your Perfect Faithfulness

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1

The Lord is my God.

I will praise His name.

In  perfect faithfulness, He has done wonderful things.

Things He planned long ago.

He is perfect.

I will exalt Him.

Watch over those in Ukraine.

Protect them and comfort them in their fear.

In Jesus' name we pray,  Amen.

Christ's Power Made Perfect in Weakness

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Friday we started a new Bible study on 2 Corinthians in my women's study group.

It's amazing how God gives us those verses we need to hear at just the right time.

Today was a great reminder that even though we don't care to be "weak" or "needy," it gives others an opportunity to support us when we let them know we are vulnerable.

A friend is fixing dinner for us this weekend so if I'm tired next week, we'll have something on hand.

Another friend has continued to send me a card or two each week, letting me know she is praying for me.

My brother sends me regular texts letting me know how valuable I am to him and to the Lord.

God has surrounded me with Christ's love and power so that I will realize that His grace is more than enough for me.

God's Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3

This week quite a few people have asked how I'm doing, and the answer is, Great!

I go in for my radiation set-up appointment tomorrow.

I still have a Herceptin IV every three weeks, but my chemo is done.

My taste is completely back, and my energy is much stronger than just 6 weeks ago.

God has blessed me with coworkers and bosses who let me work at home once a week to help conserve my energy.

He has strengthened me and comforted me throughout this process.

None of this is my own doing. I am not a "strong woman," as some people have commented.

But I do have a strong Savior who watches over me and loves me.

He has kept me at perfect peace; I trust in Him.

Streams in the Desert

Each person will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. — Isaiah 32:2

God gives us refuge from the storm, water when we're thirsty.

He gives us every good and perfect thing.

He surrounds us with strength, support and love.

Yesterday I received yet another encouraging card from our friends.

Every other week they remind me that they are praying for my complete healing.

We are so blessed.

A Plan of Action

Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory. — Psalm 24:9-10

I finally got a call that my chemo will begin on Friday, March 29 and then will switch to Thursdays and will take place every 3 weeks for 6 treatments.

So on April 18, I'll have my second one, and Kirk is off that week for Spring Break. What perfect timing!

Of course, he will also take off the other days, too. I am blessed.

Friends have given me lots of tips, so I have my meds ready and will get a soft toothbrush and lots of crackers and bread to be able to eat something regularly to keep my stomach full and hopefully keep the nausea to a minimum.

God is with me and will come in to guide me down this path.

He is the King of glory.