God's Word Is Alive and Active

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. —  Hebrews 4:12 

God's Word penetrates into my soul.

It judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart and finds that I fall short.

Each time I read it, I get something new from passages I've read over and over all my life.

It permeates my joints and marrow, letting the Holy Spirit convict me when I start to go against it.

Or when I start to move in an opposite direction or ignore God's Word.

It divides my soul and spirit.

The Word of God is alive and active.

The Sword of the Spirit is sharper than the sharpest double-edged sword in this world.

It is my one offensive weapon in the battle for the Lord.

Simeon Blessed Them

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."  — Luke 2:33-35 

Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him.

Simeon was waiting there to see the promised Messiah.

When he saw Jesus, he blessed his family.

And he prophesied about Jesus that He will cause the falling and rising of many.

And Christ will be a sign that the world will speak against.

He will reveal the hearts of people everywhere.

We welcome Jesus into the world!

The Word of God Is Active

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12

God's Word is alive.

It speaks to me differently that it did a year or two ago.

Each time I read a passage of Scripture, God has a new insight for me.

He is continually teaching me through His Word.

It is alive and active.

Sharper than any two-edged sword.

It penetrates to my soul.

It judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart.

And then helps to steer me back to the path God intended.

Search Me, God

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. — Psalm 139:23

Yesterday we went up to Yorba Linda.

Kirk drove us to Jame and Katie's wedding shower.

It was a fun time to connect with friends and meet new ones.

But especially to celebrate with the happy couple.

And eat fruit, veggies, and cake. Yum!

Here's James a year ago at Christmas, visiting us in San Diego.

Kirk's holding the Christmas ornament he made in preschool.

A snowman with James' face on it.

Way too cute.

Search me, God, and know my heart.

Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Cover those who are anxious in Ukraine with your peace that passes our understanding.

God's Ways Are Higher Than Mine

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:9

The heavens are higher than the earth.

God's ways are higher than my ways.

The Lord's thoughts are higher than my thoughts.

There's no comparison.

Today is my brother Tim's birthday.

Next week we'll get together for lunch to celebrate.

Today he'll have lunch with his friends at the Brigantine.

Yum! One of our favorite restaurants.

Happy Birthday, Tim!

God's Ways

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. — Isaiah 55:8

God's thoughts are not mine.

My thoughts are not His.

My ways are not His ways.

Thank goodness!

The Lord has declared that His ways are the way to go.

Here's the alligator we saw at the zoo last month.

At first we thought it was a statue.

Then it opened its mouth!

God Has Performed Mighty Deeds

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. — Luke 1:51

God has performed mighty deeds.

He has scattered the proud.

But He has wrapped me in His loving arms.

Last night I had a fun time at dinner with friends.

Afterward, I found out one of my friends has a coworker who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I offered to give her my contact info in case she wants to reach out.

In case I can answer any of her questions.

Today I discovered a friend of mine also has been diagnosed with breast cancer - two spots in one breast.

Thankfully it's stage 1. 

She will find out more details in the next few weeks.

I am praying for both of them and for my boss's sister-in-law who is struggling through chemo as the result of a rare breast cancer.

God is our great physician through every trial.

I think one reason He had me go through my journey was so I can comfort others on theirs.

Thank you, Lord.

The Lord Knows When I Rise

 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. — Psalm 139:2

God knows me through and through.

He knows when I sit and when I get up.

The Lord perceives my thoughts.

He knows my prayers before I even think of what to say.

And He already knows what's best for me.

HIs rainbow promise reminds me that He cares for me.

My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. — Isaiah 55:8

God's thoughts are not mine.

His ways are not mine.

Thank goodness.

He is the Lord of heaven and earth.

He is our God and we praise Him.

 

Turn to the Lord

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts, let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. — Isaiah 55:7

God calls us to turn to Him.

He will have mercy on us, when we turn our lives over to Him.

He freely pardons us.

Today Abby got her first covid-19 shot

She went up to UCSD and was in and out in 30 minutes!

Including 15 minutes to wait and be observed.

And they already scheduled her next vaccine for the end of the month.

The healthcare workers told her they had already seen about 5000 people that day at the RIMAC center alone. 

The best part was that it had rained here, and she saw a rainbow on her way home!

Since she works both at Millennial Tech Middle with students on Zoom and at City Tree Christian with students in person, it is a relief to know that she is inoculated.

We are grateful.

The Heavens Are Higher Than the Earth

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8-9

Today is my brother Tim's birthday. 

Wishing him a wonderful day and the start of a beautiful year ahead.

God's thoughts and ways are much higher and wiser than mine.

I can't even imagine.

His thoughts are not mine.

His ways are not mine.

Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so God's ways are in every way better, more righteous, and more glorious than anything we can imagine.

Simeon Blessed Them

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. — Luke 2:34-35

After Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he blessed His parents.

And he praised God for sending Jesus.

He went on to tell about how God would use Jesus to save the world.

We are grateful that Jesus has filled our hearts with His love.

And that He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide our lives.

And that He has blessed us with wonderful family members who pray for us.

He Has Lifted the Humble

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. — Luke 1:51-52

God has performed mighty deeds.

He has done great things for us.

And has lifted up the humble.

Including me.

During this Advent season, we thank Him for sending His Son for us.

Jesus, our Savior.

Lead Me in the Way Everlasting

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. — Psalm 139:23-24

Today I got the letter from my last mammogram that let me know that I'm cancer free.

This was my first one since I was diagnosed a year ago January.

I will have my final Herceptin IV next week.

God has held my hand during this time and given me the support I needed to get through it.

He has searched me and He knows my heart.

He is leading me in the way everlasting, even though I often fail him.

I am blessed.

God's Ways Are Higher Than Mine

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:8-9

God's thoughts are not mine.

Not even close.

His ways are not mine.

In fact, they are much higher than mine.

Just as the heavens are higher than the earth.

So God's thoughts are much higher than my thoughts.

I can't even fathom how He loves me in spite of myself.

What a mighty God we serve!

The Attitude of My Heart

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12

Today at church we will be reading God's Word and worshipping Him together as a family.

Kirk and I take our Bibles with us so we can follow along with the Scriptures, take notes, and meditate on God's Word throughout the week.

Each year I read through the Bible, seeing it again through the new eyes of my life at the time.

God's Word is alive and active.

Each time I read it, He shows me something new that applies to what I'm going through that day, week, month or year.

God's Spirit works in me to help me understand the passage more deeply and with different insights.

He also convicts me of areas in my life where I haven't had the best attitude.

And areas where I don't want to turn control over to Him.

Help me today, Lord, to turn my thoughts and attitudes to you.

Take away my selfishness and focus on myself.

Show me where you need to work in my heart today.

God's Word Is Sharp

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12

Today our new pastor spoke from 1 Timothy 5 about take care of our human family members and also taking care of our older church family members who do not have family to care for them.

It was a thought-provoking message.

Yesterday we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary with some of our friends and family.

Abby did a great job pulling it all together and making it a special day.

Here's Kirk with our friend Ernie.

Ernie is wearing one of the Hawaiian shirts from the collection of Kirk's dad.

Very sweet that he chose to wear it for our party.

And Marion made us a hand-crafted anniversary card.

On the right is our neighbor from Budapest, Hungary.

He works at the same company as Ernie's daughter, although they are in different divisions.

God's Word is alive and active.

We are amazed and grateful for so many wonderful Christian friends.

Precious Thoughts

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! — Psalm 139:17

Tuesday I met with my radiation oncologist.

She said I'm doing great.

My blood count is fine; the red blood cells are not small, so my iron is good.

My last bone density scan was fine, so she cancelled my next one.

I'll have a MUGA scan this week to make sure my heart is also doing fine.

My last one was three months ago, and it was basically the same as when I started chemo.

So I'm guessing this one will be good, too.

My doctor was pleased that I have more energy now and that I'm able to jump rope more than I could just two weeks ago.

I won't need to see her again for three months. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, oh God!

The Source of My Joy

May He be pleased by all these thoughts about Him, for He is the source of all my joy. — Psalm 104:34

God is the source of my joy.

Even when other things are not going my way,

When life becomes difficult,

When I struggle,

When pressures seem to close in around me,

God is the source of my joy.

He fills me with a deep peace that passes anything I can understand or comprehend.

May God be pleased by my thoughts about Him.