Let Us Run with Perseverance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1

Last night we watched the opening ceremonies for the Olympics.

It brought back memories of our wonderful time in Paris two years ago.

And the crowd of spectators gathered there now for the games.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, too.

But our crowd consists of the saints who've gone before us.

My mom, Kirk's mom, Polly Whigham, Mildred & Blain Marksbury, Burt Smith, Penny, Paul Pulliam, Gabe Saliba, and so many more.

Our lives have been blessed by each of them.

And we pray that our lives, too, will be a blessing to many.

We Have Fellowship With One Another

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7

God is light.

He purifies us with the blood of His Son, Jesus.

And if we walk in that lights, we have fellowship with one another.

The blood of Jesus Christ purifies us from all sin.

Thanks be to God.

The light of our lives. 

I Will Hear From Heaven

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14 

May the 4th be with you!

Today is the fourth of May.

Here's my nieces and nephew in their Star Wars costumes.

Katie is R2D2 for Halloween in this photo. 

As the youngest, she had no choice in costumes when she was little.

Her mom told us for that reason she had to be R2D2 for two years.

The movie has them visiting many foreign lands.

God has promised to heal our land when we call on Him in prayer.

And when we turn from our wicked ways.

When we repent, He will hear us and will forgive us.

He is a gracious, merciful Lord God.

Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 

Before Jesus, the sting of death is sin.

And the power of sin is the law.

But we are thankful that God gives us the victory.

And that though the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Death no longer holds the victory.

And no longer has the ability to sting.

The Son is the Radiance of God's Glory

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. — Hebrews 1:3 

Jerusalem

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory.

Christ is the exact representation of his being.

He sustains all things by His powerful Word.

After Chrsit had provided purification for sins.

Jesus sat down att the right hand of the Majesty.

He now lives with God in heaven.

The Gift of God Is Eternal Life

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 3:23 

Today we were blessed with two rainbows in the sky on our drive to church.

A reminder of God's promise to never flood the whole earth again.

And a reminder that God always keeps His promises.

His gift to us is eternal life.

Through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Who gave Himself for each of us.

So that we might live with Him in heaven one day.

We Have an Advocate

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. — 1 John 2:1 

We are God's beloved children.

And He has given us an advocate in His Son, Jesus.

He is the Righteous One, our Savior.

We are encouraged not to sin.

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father.

Praise God!

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1 

This past week we've lost many parents of friends and relatives.

Today Kirk's cousin Cindy lost her mom.

It was a blessing that she's now with her husband but still hard, especially to lose your mother.

Kirk stopped by to visit them in 2021 on his way to Ohio.

And we are so thankful to God for that time together.

Within the year Uncle Bob had passed away.

Over the next year, Aunt Doris began her decline.

This has been a week of loss and a year of friends losing their parents.

We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.

It is encouraging to know that we're not alone on our journey.

They encourage us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Thank You, Lord.

He Is in the Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7 

God is light.

If we walk in the light of His Son Jesus, we have fellowship with one another.

And the blood of Jesus becomes the way for our salvation.

It purifies us from all sin.

What a huge blessing.

And what a mighty, merciful God and Savior.

Christ Was Sacrificed Once

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.  — Hebrews 9:28 

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.

By his stripes we are healed.

He will appear again in glory.

This time He won't be coming to bear our sin - He already did that on the cross.

So when he comes again, He will bring salvation to those of us who are waiting for Him.

Jesus, our Lord.

Between the Two of You

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. — Hebrews 15:18

Sometimes it's hard to keep things just between two of us.

We want to spread the word.

And show that we're in the know.

But when we point out someone's fault privately, they can work on it themselves.

When we gossip, it's just like this alligator at the zoo.

Way too much to handle.

If they listen, you have won them over!

Praise the Lord.

The Spirit Who Gives Life

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. — Romans 8:1-2 

Although we deserve condemnation, God has taken it away.

When we believe in Jesus, we are no longer condemned.

Christ paid our ransom and set us free.

Through Jesus, the Spirit gives us life.

And we are now free from sin and death.

Praise the Lord!

The Righteousness of God

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 

God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us.

And Jesus took the penalty for our sin on Himself.

He went to the cross so that we can live with Him forever.

And He paid the price for my sin.

So that I can be a member of the family of God.

Become the Righteousness of God

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 

God sent Jesus to earth as a baby, fully man and fully God.

Christ had no sin.

But He took on my sin when He died on the cross.

He paid the penalty I deserved.

So that through Jesus I might become the righteousness of God.

What a merciful God we serve!

The Gift of God Is Eternal Life

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23 

God's gift to us is eternal life.

And it is ours for the asking through Christ Jesus.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord, He give us eternal life.

And we can live forever in heaven with God.

We really deserve death as payment for our sin.

But God give us the free gift of eternal life in Christ.

Watch Yourselves

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. — Galatians. 6:1 

Yesterday was National Pie Day.

Here's the apple pie I made for Thanksgiving.

I'll be making it again this weekend.

Just as an apple pie cooling in the window used to tempt the children walking by,

God warns us not to be tempted.

And to restore others gently when they sin.

I hope someone will do that for me when I fall into temptation.

Guard my tongue and my actions Lord, that they will please You.

Let Us Run With Perseverance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1

La Jolla Shores Beach

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

Over the past few weeks, even more saints have gone to be with Jesus.

Sharon's dad, Gale.

Sue's mom.

Ron's mom.

And many more.

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us.

And let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles us.

Let us run the race before us with perseverance. 

Walk in the Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7

Last week we were in Palm Desert with friends.

This is the view from our condo living room.

Kirk moved his recliner so he looked out on this view of the golf course each day.

We got some great photos of the sunrises.

A reminder that if we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.

And the blood of Jesus, God's Son, purifies us from all sin.

Humble Themselves and Pray

And My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14

Today is the National Day of Prayer. 

Across our nation, people will gather to pray for our country.

Our church will hold a prayer service to join in that time of prayer.

God tells us that if we pray, He will forgive our sin.

And if we turn from our wicked ways, He will heal our land.

What a merciful God we serve!

Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?

Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. — 1 Corinthians 15:55-56

Yesterday one of my coworkers stopped by with her 4-month old baby.

She was adorable and wouldn't stop laughing and smiling.

"How sweet to hold a newborn baby and feel the pride and joy she brings.

But sweeter still the strong assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow."

Death is no longer victorious.

It no longer has such a strong sting.

The sting of death is sin.

And the power of sin is the Law.

And Jesus has overcome death and sin.

Praise God!