Pray for Those Who Persecute You

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. — Matthew 5:42-45 

God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good.

He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

And He commands us to love our enemies.

And to pray fort those who persecute us.

So that we may be children of our Father in heaven.

He causes the sun to rise on us all.

Here we are with some friends, enjoying a time of fellowship.

Marvelous Ways

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ — Job 37:5-6 

God's voice thunders and roars.

He speaks to us in marvelous ways.

And He does great things that we can't beging to understand.

He tells the snow when to fall on teh ground.

God tells the rain when to shower and when to downpour.

He is mighty and majestic.

God's Voice Thunders in Marvelous Ways

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ — Job 37:5-6 

Celebrating Veteran's Day!

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways.

He does great things beyond anything we can comprehend.

God tells the snow when to fall.

He commands the rain when to shower.

And He watches over you and me.

Wonderful!

God Covers the Sky With Clouds

[God] covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. — Psalm 147:8

God's creation tells us of His love for us.

It shouts to us His power and might.

The world around us displays the Lord's majesty.

And it shows me that I am loved and cared for.

And created for a purpose.

He covers the sky with clouds.

He supplies the earth with rain 

And His rain makes the grass grow on the hills.

He give me exactly what I need so I can grow, too.

Pray for Those Who Persecute You

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. — Matthew 5:44-45

Pray for those who persecute me?

Are you kidding?

But that's what God requires for us to be children of God in heaven.

He causes the sun to rise on evil and good.

God sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

He is worthy of my praise.

Today is Ernie's birthday.

His first one in Ohio.

We miss him, but he's enjoying riding his trainer even in the cold winter.

As the Rain Comes Down from Heaven

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish  so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. — Isaiah 55:10

As the rain comes down from heaven, watering the earth.

The water makes the ground bud and flourish.

As a result, the earth yields seed for the sower and bread for those who eat.

So God's Word goes out from His mouth.

It does not return to Him empty.

Yesterday it rained at our house.

It was also raining in Phoenix, when Ernie drove in.

Cool, refreshing rain.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Hike

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. — Psalm 121:3-4

Los Peñasquitos Canyon

Yesterday some friends and I headed out to Los Peñasquitos Canyon for a beautiful morning hike. 

The bridge was out so we were not able to cross the river, but with all of the rain we've had recently, the grass and plants were growing tall and green. And the water was higher than it had been in a while.

The day started out chilly and cold, but warmed up as the sun came out and we started moving. 

One friend who joined us had had a lumpectomy last summer followed by radiation and is doing well. Her cancer is gone for now, and we are rejoicing.

Another friend's mom has been diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma and is undergoing chemo now. She will have her second treatment this week while I have mine. As we walked we talked about how it's especially hard because she lives halfway across the country and has been having a rough time of it with lots of nausea and fatigue. 

There's really nothing her daughter could do if she were there, but it's hard to be so far away and watch your mom suffer. It's hard to be close by and watch your mom or mother-in-law suffer, too.

God is watching over each of us, and He will not let us slip out of His reach.

He will neither slumber or sleep. When we turn to Him, He is ready and able to respond. What a comfort!



 

Hiking In San Diego County

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:1-2

Today some friends and I are heading out to Los Peñasquitos Canyon for a beautiful morning hike. We'll see if we make it all the way to waterfall. I hope so! 

We have had a lot of rain for San Diego this year (over 11 inches). Most years, we have only 10 inches of rainfall for the entire year.

Here's a photo of the preserve taken in October 2016 by Alexandre Buhov. I'll post one after our hike so we can compare. My guess is it will be even more green than this. We'll see.

What a treat to get out into God's creation, lifting our eyes to God our Maker, where our help comes from.

God Reigns

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7

Today as I walked around our neighborhood, I was joy-filled to see the birds flying by, the roses and daffodils and Birds of Paradise blooming, and the sun peeking through the snow-white clouds above me.

This Bird of Paradise plant at the foot of our driveway hasn’t bloomed in years. But after all of the rain we’ve been having, it finally blossomed. 

Now its brilliant colors are finally shining through.

Sometimes the rain in my life helps me to be able to bloom as well. I become dull and move away from God until pain and problems come my way. Then I start to turn to God and He in turn helps me shine the light of Jesus in my actions and words.

Thank you, Lord, for your omnipotence. You reign in power and glory.

Our God reigns!

God Has Done Marvelous Things

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

This is the card I received earlier this week from Mary and Gary, who have been praying along with everyone else.

Another perfect sentiment for the week.

The rain is coming down tonight, pattering on the rooftop, and tomorrow will most likely bring another rainbow.

I am blessed and overwhelmed with all of the prayers and support.

Thanks to all of my loving friends and family members who have been covering me in prayer.

Even when we can't feel God's hand, He is there to guide and direct us through life's storms.

Praise the Lord. He has done marvelous things!

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.

A Day of Rest

Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave. — I Kings 8:56

Torrey Pines State Park and Beach

God has given us times to rest. That's really hard for me. I want to get up and move around and do something.

Anything other than rest.

But God rested, too. And He asks us to take a Sabbath day of rest each week.

And when we're healing, God gives us the space and the extra time we need to rest and recover. 

Last night we had a chance to rest and relax with friends over dinner.

Today the rain has stopped and the birds are singing outside our window. The world is at rest.

Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him; do not fret. — Psalm 37:37