Sing Songs of Praise

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. — James 5:13 

This week we had areas of San Diego that flooded due to all the rain we've had.

But today the sun came out and we walked outside to take my coworker to lunch for her birthday.

She turned 24, and was very excited for the occasion.

Her name is Joy, and she is extremely joyful.

So we were praying for those dealing with the aftermath of flooding streets and rain-soaked homes.

While we were rejoicing for birthdays, sun, and joy.

God is good; all the time.

Sing and Make Music From Your Heart to the Lord

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:19-20 

It's not always easy to speak to others from the Spirit.

Sometimes I just want to call people idiots.

But God commands me to speak with psalms,  hymn, and spiritual songs from the Spirit.

He asks me to sing and make music from my heart to the Lord.

And He commands me to always give thanks to God for everything.

And to thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Whole Earth Is Filled with Awe

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. — Psalm 65:8 

Yesterday was Palm Sunday.

The children in our congregation waved palm branches as they came down the center aisle.

Next year, these palms will provide the ashes we'll use for Ash Wednesday.

Yesterday we sang Hosannas.

By Friday, we'll be shouting "crucify Him"!

What a fickle bunch we are.

Yet God calls forth songs of joy.

The whole earth is filled with awe at God's wonders.

Let the Message of Christ Dwell Among You

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. — Colossians 3:16

Today we celebrate the first day of Advent.

Our Jewish friends celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.

Both prepare us for the coming of Jesus.

We set up our nativity yesterday.

A fitting reminder of the season.

And of God's gift to us — His Son, our Lord Jesus.

Singing to God with gratitude in our hearts for his precious gift.

Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. — Colossians 3:16 NLT 

Today is Memorial Day.

When we remember our fallen military men and women who have sacrificed their lives, for us.

We raise our thankful hearts to God.

Thanking Him for this country we live in.

For the freedoms we have because others died.

For blessing us more than we could ever imagine.

Singing with Thankfulness

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. — Colossians 3:16

Yesterday we made modge podge flower pots.

Our Bible study theme was "bloom where you are planted."

And Josie took this picture of the finished pots.

They really turned out beautiful.

And each one is unique.

Just as God's creation shows His beauty and glory.

We praise Him with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.

Singing to God

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. — Colossians 3:16

The message of Christ is eternal life.

We love singing psalms and songs from the Spirit.

God has given us the voice to sing his praise. 

Through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.

Singing to God with gratitude in our hearts.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.

With all wisdom as we teach and admonish one another.

The sunflower is a great example of God's love shining on us.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. — Psalm 32:7

Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

God has protected me, even when I didn't even think to acknowledge Him.

He is my hiding place.

I know I can go to Him whenever I need to get away from the hectic day-to-day life.

He is my refuge.

He protects me from trouble.

He surrounds me with songs of deliverance and joy.

And He is my strength in times of exhaustion and worry.

When I remember that, I can turn all of my worries and cares over to Him.

I can get back to sleep knowing that it's in His hands and He has it under control.

What a blessed assurance.

Here's the blueberry cream cheese coffee cake I made Saturday morning.

The whole house smelled wonderful!

Let them pray

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. — James 5:13

Today was my 14th radiation treatment.

I met with my doctor. Then the nurses set up my radiation for the boost that will start on Friday.

Instead of covering the whole breast with radiation, they will focus just on the area where the surgery happened.

The boost will start this Friday and finish a week from Thursday.

That will be my final treatment.

I am happy and will sing songs of praise to the Lord.

Pi Day

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. — Psalm 65:8

Today is 3-14 and at 1:59 it will be Pi Day, since Pi is an infinite number 3.14159...

A few years ago I made these pies, and today at work we'll eat a variety of pies in celebration of Pi Day.

Yum! We had pies and cheesecake — all very rich and delicious.

God calls forth songs of joy.

The whole earth is filled with awe at God's wonders.

We reply with songs of joy and praise!