The Lord Is Faithful in All He Does

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 33:4-5 

Today is our friend Edna's birthday.

She has been an active prayer warrior for our family over the years.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, she had her church create this beautiful quilt for me.

The congregation tied prayer knots in each square and prayed for me.

Our neighbors were surprised at church that Sunday when they discovered the quilt they were praying over was for me!

That was five years ago, and today I'm either in remission or cured.

Praise God for strong friends such as Edna who covered me in prayer and showered Kirk and me with love.

We are blessed.

Offer Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. — Romans 12:1 

Happy hallow's eve.

Sunday we made pumpkin succulents, and they turned out beautiful.

Tonight we'll had out candy to the neighborhood kids.

And we'll celebrate with a potluck and constume contest at work.

But everyday we celebrate God's mercy.

Worshiping Him with our actions, words, and spirit.

The Faithful and True Witness

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. — Revelation 3:14, 20 

John was commanded to write to the seven churches.

These are the words of the one true God.

The Amen and the faithful.

The true witness.

The ruler of God's creation.

Our Lord and Father.

All Your Words Are True

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. — Psalm 119:160 

God's Words are true.

All of them.

He always keeps His promises to us.

I love His Word.

It gives us light and direction.

His righteous laws are eternal.

My Father Is the Gardener

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will produce more fruit." — John 5:1

Jesus is the true vine.

God is the gardener in the garden of our lives.

When I'm connected with Jesus, He nourishes me and helps me grow in Him.

God prunes me to help me produce fruit for Him.

That can be a painful process but one that lets me grow to my fullest.

The Word of the Lord Is Right and True

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. — Psalm 22:4-5 

God's Word is right and true.

He is faithful in all He does.

The Lord loves righteousness.

God love justice.

The earth is full of His unfailing love.

Whatever Is Right, Whatever Is Pure

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 

God wants me to fill my mind with thoughts of Him and His goodness.

Whatever is true — to think of true things.

Whatever is noble, rather than things that fill my mind with trash.

Things that are right and pure.

Lovely things.

Like this beautiful rose.

And whatever is admirable.

Anything excellent.

Whatever is praiseworthy.

To fill my thoughts with these things.

Help me, Lord.

True and Proper Worship

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. — Romans 12:1

God's mercy is overwhelming and completely undeserved.

In view of His great sacrifice, He calls me to offer myself to Him.

As a living sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Only He can make me holy.

Through Jesus I can come into His presence.

This is my true and proper worship.

Yesterday our church hosted a graduation ceremony for the Rescue Mission, nearby.

It was a joyful time of celebration.

 

Whatever Is True and Noble

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 

Think on things that are excellent.

Concentrate on things that are praiseworthy.

Whatever is true and noble, think on these things.

Whatever is admirable and lovely, think on these things.

The wonderful things God has given us.

The Word of the Lord Is Right

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. — Psalm 33:4

God's Word is right and true.

The Lord is faithful.

He is faithful in all He does.

He is Creator and Lord.

And Mighty, Counselor.

Wonderful, Majestic Father.

And we worship Him with all our hearts.

Worship the Father in Truth

A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. — John 4:23 

On Sunday, we had a fun bluegrass music service of worship at our church.

Afterward, we had a mini-concert in our courtyard with banjo, guitar, mandolin, cajon, and harmonium.

The children were dancing around the courtyard — and so were some of the adults!

This is just a photo, not a link.

But the livestream version of the service is available at https://www.fpcsd.org

The true worshipers will worship God the Father in Spirit.

We worship Him in truth.

This is the kind of worship God requires of us.

The World Was Made Through Him

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.— John 1:9-10

God's light came into the world through Jesus.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him.

His light gives light to each of us.

Even though we didn't recognize Him, He gave His life for us.

Even when I ignore and reject Him, He continues to watch over me.

You Turned to God

They tell how you turned to God . . . to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. — 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

This week Aunt Jean turned 93!

Here she is three years ago celebrating her 90th.

How amazing is that.

My brother Tim called last night just to check in. 

Last night some friends stopped by after our church service just to hang out and share some excellent.

We are blessed to have family and friends who care about us.

They tell us show they turned to God to serve Him with their lives.

 

God Is Faithful

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. — Psalm 33:4

God's Word is right.

The Bible is true, and I believe it, even when I don't understand it completely.

God is faithful in all He does.

He always keeps His promises.

Last weekend, we spent some time in Coronado.

We relaxed by the pool, swam, and enjoyed our time together as a family.

God has blessed us, and we are thankful.

Living Sacrifice

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. — Romans 12:1

God has been merciful to us.

He asks me to offer myself as a living sacrifice to Him.

Giving myself back to Him each day, doing His will, following His way.

This is the kind of worship He asks of me.

To give Him my life and my heart and mind.

To be a living sacrifice, doing things that are pleasing to Him.

Living a life that is holy and that glorifies His name.

Whatever Is Praiseworthy

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8

First Pres. youth at Forest Home Camp several years ago

This afternoon we had a Christian Education meeting at church.

Only three of us were able to attend, but we accomplished quite a bit.

Afterward, our Christian Ed. Director offered to support me more as I coordinate the high school and middle school Sunday school lessons, find teachers, choose the curriculum, and encourage the older youth to lead in teaching occasionally.

Peggy and I are planning to meet every month or two to touch base, pray for the students, and support each other.

We set a date to get together.

I am grateful and blessed.

God Has Called Me By Name

This is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  — Isaiah 43:1-2

Yesterday I was reading Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, and I was struck by his insight.

"If we keep true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will bring us out into a better knowledge of Himself."

He continued, "If you will remain true to God, God will lead you straight through every barrier into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself.

But there is always this point of giving up our convictions and traditional beliefs."

It is really tough at times to give up my own beliefs and convictions and to rely completely on God.

I am blessed that God is patient with me. He has called me by name. I am His!