Come, Let Us Sing for Joy

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. — Psalm 95:1-2

Let us sing with joy to the Lord. 

And shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Come before God with thanksgiving.

And praise Him with music and with songs of joy.

He is our God, and we will praise Him!

His Son Is With Me

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8

God directs His love toward us all the time.

By day, we feel Him in the warmth of the sun.

And in the cool, wet air of a rain shower.

By night, His song is with us.

Music gives us an opportunity to pray twice — once through the words and once again through the music.

A prayer to the God of my life.

Amen.

 

King of the Nations

They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations." — Revelation 15:3

The angels held harps and sang.

They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb Jesus.

They praised God and worshiped Him.

Great and marvelous are His deeds, the Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways.

God is King of the nations.

His Song Is With Me

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8

Today we worshiped God and sang His praises.

Our guest pastor was from Egypt and gave a wonderful sermon about relying on God and trusting Jesus.

He explained the stories of the man possessed by legions, the woman who was sick for 12 years and was healed after touching Jesus' robe and Jairus' daughter who died after 12 years and was brought to life again.

Pastor Isaac William was an inspiration to help us understand that we too, should reach out to the isolated and hurting people around us just as Jesus did.

Our director of Ladle Fellowship also spoke about how Ladle has served the downtown community for 40 years now.

Last week a man appeared at our church who had received a cup of coffee from that new ministry back in 1983.

He had returned to thank us and bring us a can of coffee.

God is at work - He directs His love by day.

And at night His song is with me.

A prayer to the God of my life.

 

Sing to the Lord

Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. — Psalm 149:1 

I love to sing.

And to sing to the Lord.

To shout His praise in the assembly of His people.

Sing to the Lord a new song.

In the assembly of His faithful people.

Here we are in the chapel at Versailles.

A beautiful tribute to God.

And the majesty of His greatness.

My Soul Glorifies the Lord

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." — Luke 1:46-48

This afternoon we held our middle school girls Bible study Christmas party.

We did a gift exchange, made Christmas cards and spiced cider mix, roasted s'mores, lit the advent wreath, and sang Christmas carols.

I made these Santa cookies.

Usually I would make them and have the girls decorate cookies.

This year because of covid, we didn't frost cookies or carol through the neighborhood.

But we still had a fun time worshipping God together.

Magnifying His name with our songs and prayers.

Come Before Him With Thanksgiving

 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. — Psalm 95:2

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving.

Today we are thankful for a wonderful time with family, even though we were missing quite a few of them.

Our prayers are with those who couldn't join us.

Lots of prayer requests in our extended family.

And we thank God for the ability to bring our concerns and praises to Him in prayer.

He listens and answers us when we cry to Him.

Abby picked out this centerpiece that matched our tablecloths and napkins perfectly!

We are thanking God for beautiful flowers created by Him!

I Will Praise God's Name

 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. — Psalm 69:30

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving.

We actually started last night with our church service for Thanksgiving eve.

A worshipful time to thank God and praise His name in song.

Today we had our families over for dinner.

Steve made twice-baked potatoes.

Liz made cracker corn, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and cranberry sauce.

Abby made a chocolate pie for Carly so we could celebrate a day late.

We are grateful to God for giving us a loving family, good food, and great friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Go Out in Joy

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. — Isaiah 55:12

The mountains will burst into song.

The hills will break forth into singing.

The trees of the field will clap their hands.

We will go out in joy.

God will lead us forward in peace.

Kirk and Ernie made it to Dodge City Kansas yesterday.

Just in time for dinner!

They are having a great time.

Today they will see cousin Cindy, Aunt Doris and Uncle Bob.

Kirk is very excited.

Burst Into Song

Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. — Isaiah 44:23

Palm Desert

This is another gorgeous view from our room while we were on vacation last week.

The mountains in the background looked as if they were ready to burst into song.

The palm trees stood tall, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord.

God has redeemed Jacob and has redeemed me.

He displays His glory in the beautiful world around us.

It is an overwhelming showcase for the majesty and glory of the Lord our God.

Go Out in Joy

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. — Isaiah 55:12

Every morning we go out in joy.

The mountains burst forth into song.

The trees clap their hands.

The oceans rejoice.

Even the rocks cry out.

Creation cannot be silenced.

God is on His throne.

We are led forth in peace.

Thank You, Lord!

Sing a New Song

I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpers playing on their harps, and they sing a new song before the throne. — Revelation 14:2-3

Saturday our choir came over to our house for a potluck.

The sun was out, and the day was gorgeous. 

We left our tree up for one last party.

The choir members brought amazingly tasty food.

And we had a fun time of fellowship.

Between 30 and 40 people squeezed into our home.

After we ate, we had a chance to sing together, practicing our songs for next week's church service.

Kirk turned on the firepit, and some sat around it, enjoying the beautiful flames. 

We sang praises to God.

One day we will sing before him in heaven.

The harpers play on their harps and sing a new song before God's throne.

Praise God's Name with Song

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. — Psalm 69:30

Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving and gave thanks to God for His blessings.

Here is the turkey Abby prepared.

It was delicious and very moist.

We also made cranberry relish — the one that Gary's mom used to make.

Gary would make it and bring it for Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.

This is our first Thanksgiving without him, and we are sad.

But we are also glad that he is with Jesus.

We praise the name of God and magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Come Before Him with Thanksigiving

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. — Psalm 95:2

Today I met a friend for a walk down at Mission Trails this morning.

We met at 7:00 a.m. and walked about four miles.

It was a bit cold, but the sun came out in the middle of our walk.

God has created a beautiful world for us to enjoy.

We had a chance to share Scripture, praise God, and pray for each other.

Let us come before God with Thanksgiving.

Come Before Him with Thanksgiving

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. — Psalm 95:2

We are thankful for all that God has done for us and for others.

We praise Him with music and with song.

When we come before Him, we do so in reverence and awe.

He is our God, and we are humbled.

We extol Him with music and song.

His Song Is With Me

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8

Today I have another Herceptin IV, but no more chemo.

Last time this IV only took an hour total, so I got to work by 10:00.

We'll see if that happens again today.

I got a new note from my radiation doctor to allow me to work part-time, if necessary, through November 7 (my birthday)!

I have been working full time since the week after my surgery, so I don't think I'll need to move to part-time, but I'm taking each week one at a time.

A week from today I'll have my first radiation appointment.

I don't think they actually start the treatment until the day after, but I'll find out.

God directs his love to me. At night his song is with me.

My life is a prayer to my God, the God of my life.

Rejoice, You Earth!

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. — Isaiah 49:13

Here is the pond outside my work. What a beautiful, relaxing place to walk, sit, and contemplate our great God.

The waterfall makes a soothing sound, and the birds that gather enjoy the cool water.

God comforts us when we grieve.

He has compassion on us when we feel afflicted and worn out. 

He gives me the strength to shout for joy and burst into song.

Shout for Joy

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn — shout for joy before the Lord, the King. – Psalm 98:4-6

I love the Sundays that our orchestra plays during our worship service.

The instruments add so much to the hymns, at times even drowning out our voices, causing us to sing even louder and more jubilantly.

The trumpet players often sit in front of me in the choir loft, and I especially enjoy their sound, although I love them all.

The trumpet en chamade on our organ has pipes that extend over our heads, and that sound is wonderful, too.

Shout for join to the Lord, all the earth. Burst into jubilant song with music.

Shout for joy before the Lord, the King!

Lilacs So Fragrant

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. — Psalm 40:3


Saturday our neighbors, Stan and Susan, went up to Julian and brought back some Lilacs for us. 

What an amazing fragrance they have! And the colors are amazing, too.

Such a thoughtful gift from our sweet neighbors.

God has put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to him.

We put our trust in the Lord.

Shout for Joy!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.  — Psalm 98:4-6

Flowers from Axos Bank Employees

Yesterday I drove back into work for the first time since my surgery.

I was overwhelmed with wonderful food including fruit, coffee cake, muffins, croissant sandwiches, a chocolate genache cake and two bouquets of flowers! Here's one.

One of my coworkers even lent me his ergonomic anti-fatigue mat so I could use it while standing at my computer. When I offered to return it that afternoon, he encouraged me to keep it for a week until I decided if I want to get one of my own.

I am blessed by wonderful people who kept asking about how I was doing.

After work, I met with my prayer accountability group, and they are such encouraging and supportive Christian women.

Thank you, Lord, for surrounding me with such a blessed support team.

Today we are shouting for joy!