And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:23
And through it all, He is in control.
In all things, He works for our good.
For the good of all who love Him.
We have been called according to His purpose.
And He is working His purpose out in us.
Using our lives to glorify Himself.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
Last night I made gumbo in the new Dutch oven Kirk got me for Christmas.
And bread using the proof baskets Marianna sent me.
I am blessed.
Tonight we'll have two other couples join us for dinner.
To welcome in the new year together.
Praising God for good food, great friends, and wonderful family.
Praising God for Jesus, who has overcome the world.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? — Romans 8:32
Rather, He gave Jesus up for us all, even before we knew Him.
He graciously gives us all things.
Now He asks us to give our lives as a living sacrifice.
To share the Gospel of Jesus to all those we meet.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28
And for the good of all those who love Him.
For those of us who have been called according to His purpose.
For years, Kirk shared with his students some of his characteristics that are uncannily similar to those of Abraham Lincoln.
Kirk was born on February 12, 1959; Abe was born on Feburary 12, 1809 - 150 years apart.
They have a very similar facial profile, with almost the same nose.
Their shoe size and heights are the same.
They both have gray eyes.
Abraham Lincoln’s first adult job was as a store clerk. Kirk's first adult job was as a store clerk for Vons Grocery Company.
Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. Kirk’ s grandfather died on April 15, 1975. Exactly 110 years apart.This week, our niece Maggie found this geneology chart that shows that Abe is Kirk's 4th cousin four times removed!
God's plan is amazing.
In all things, He works for our good.
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him. — 1 Corinthians 2:9
We cannot fathom how a baby's body is formed in its mother's womb.
How much less can we understand God's work.
Here's Kirk's cousin Rick's new grandbaby Chase Decker.
Jordan's latest little boy.
We love the way he's folding his hands.
And his fingers look like he could be a basketball player ...
Or a pianist!
We cannot understand the work of God.
He is the maker of all things.
And we marvel at His handiwork.
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
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.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. — Colossians 3:2
Here's my friend Kelly, sitting on the edge.
Abby and Kirk and I hiked up here several years ago.
Then Abby and Kirk hiked it again a few times.
We got some great pictures of them.
God asks us to set our minds on things above instead of on earthly things.
It's much easier to do that when we're outside marveling at God's creation.
Help me to set my mind on You, O Lord.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. — Colossians 1:16
And what an amazing creation it is.
Just beautiful.
Kirk has been feedting our plants, and they look very healthy.
They're bursting with happiness.
All things have been creaed by God.
Created for our enjoyment.
Thank you, Lord!
And almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.— Hebrews 9:22
So Jesus died for our sins.
He shed His blood for our salvation.
To cleanse us from sin.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
We are forgiven in Jesus.
And because of His sacrifice.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. — Hebrews 9:11
He took the punihsment that we deserved.
He became our mediator between God and us.
He bridges the gap between God's
holiness and my sin.
Here is the waterfall we hiked to last month.
Last weekend my coworker hiked here and the water was down to a trickle.
When he and his wife arrived, there were only a few other people there.
But there were several king snakes swimming in the water.
So glad we missed them.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. — Colossians 3:1
She has down in Guadalupe visiting relatives.
Her uncle Rito has been very sick.
He was hospitalized and intubated.
They removed the tube, but he has been suffering from kidney disease.
Then the doctors discovered an infection in his lungs.
Today he died, even after all the care he was getting.
The family is now grieving for his loss.
Jesus is welcoming him into heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Still, it is hard to lose a loved one.
My prayers continue for Mari and Bogar and the family as they mourn.
Jesus knows their suffering.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28
Her plant-based diet has really reduced her auto-immune issues - what a huge praise from just a year ago.
Later, we went for a walk around our neighborhood.
We took a look at the variety of landscapes and yards.
We saw some homes that were our same model.
Some that had been updated and some that looked just as ours did 35 years ago.
This year Kirk painted our garage door.
Our friends Mary and Gary gave us the plumeria just to the left of the door.
It seems to love that spot!
We know that God works in all things, in every part of our lives.
We are grateful.
By Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. — Colossianas 1:16
You and me and everything around us.
Yesterday it rained off and on.
Kirk got in a great golf game - solo, since everyone else wimped out, thinking it would be too wet.
He had the whole course to himself.
After one of the rain spells, there was a beautiful rainbow outside my office window.
Reminding me that God created the world and everything in it.
A reminder of God's promises to us.
And a visible covenant with us that He always keeps His promises.
I am so grateful.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. — John 1:3
Jesus was with God from the beginning.
He also created.
Through Him all things were made.
Without Him, we would have nothing.
Nothing would have been created.
These beautiful flowers were arranged by my friend LaVonne.
Her business is called Adorations Botanical.
This week you can get 10% off everything ordered by February 5 at https://www.adorations.com/ using the code DAYMADE21 when you check out.
Today is World Cancer Day, designed to bring awareness and inspire action for a cancer-free future.
We know we are living in a sinful world.
But with Jesus, we have everything we need!
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. — Luke 1:49
He blessed her with her son Jesus.
And Jesus was sent to be the Savior of the world.
God has done great things for me, too.
He loves me more than I can fathom.
And He healed me from cancer.
He has blessed me with a wonderful husband in Kirk.
And a thoughtful daughter with Abby.
