He Has Made Us Competent

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Corinthians 3:6 

God has welcomed us into His ministry.

As ministers of a new covenant.

Not of the letter of the law, but of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives us life.

And encourages us to share that new life with others.

The Word Became Flesh

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. — John 1:14 

God's Word took on human form.

Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem and lived among us on earth.

He came from God the Father.

We have seen His glory.

Jesus is full of grace.

And He is truth.

We Are Filled With Joy

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. — Psalm 126:3

On Sunday evening we went over to Coronado for Abby's birthday dinner. 

Afterward, we walked down to the Hotel Del Coronado and watched the sunset.

We found some steps to sit on in front of the hotel.

Then we stayed and watched fireworks.

A fun way to celebrate her 25th!

His Power Is At Work Within Us

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. — Ephesians 3:20

God is able to do much more than I can imagine.

He is able to do immeasurably more than I even think of asking.

According to His power.

His Holy Spirit is at work within me.

And His glory fills the earth.

Here's the view of the pool where Abby and I swim several times a week.

This time of year, we don't usually stay late enough for the sunsets, but we enjoy the view of the sky and the feel of the water.

We get to celebrate God's glory as we swim.

God Lives in Us

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. — 1 John 4:12

We haven't seen God.

Even when God passed by Moses, He had Moses hide his face.

Because of Jesus, God lives in us.

His love is made complete in us.

For Kirk's birthday we went to the Brigantine.

And they brought him mud pie for dessert.

Fortunately, they also brought spoons for each of us!

If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete.

The Lord Is Our Fortress

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. — Psalm 46:7 

God is with us.

He promises to never leave us.

He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The God of Jacob is our strong rock.

He is our fortress.

God is the Lord, Almighty.

He is with us always.

We Are God's Handiwork

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10 

God's handiwork surrounds us.

We are part of His handiwork.

The creation that God called very good.

We were created in Christ Jesus to good works.

God has prepared in advance for us to do good works for His glory.

We are not asked to decide to follow Jesus.

But rather to yield our lives to Jesus.

Not to force our lives in His direction.

But to turn our lives over to Him willingly.

Help us, Lord, to do just that.

The Lord Will Save Us

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. — Isaiah 33:22

Yesterday  morning I went to our church women's Bible study.

We are studying Romans 7 and had a good discussion about Paul's message.

He was speaking to the Romans, but his words are just as applicable for us today.

It was great to end the week and start the day reading God's Word together.

And sharing our insights.

Abby had her first interview today with Pt. Loma Nazarene.

Her next step will be a presentation.

God is leading us in the ways He would have us go.

God Showed His Love

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. — 1 John 4:9

As we approach Easter, we remember that God sacrificed His Son for us.

I have an only child, and I cannot imagine giving her up for someone else.

Much less for someone who I consider an enemy.

But God did that for me and for the whole world.

Even while I was still a sinner.

He sent His one and only Son into the world for me.

If I had been the only one on earth, He still would have done it for me alone.

Amazing.

Just so I can live with Him.

This is how God showed His love among us.

Thank You.

We Have Seen His Glory

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. — John 1:14

La Jolla Shores Sunset

Jesus came to us in the flesh and lived among us.

He is also known as the Word.

Jesus was with God from the beginning — He is God.

We have seen His glory.

He is full of grace and truth.

And fortunately, He is also full of mercy.

How can our holy God, full of truth, love me, a sinner?

He tells me I am chosen and kept by Him.

He has mercy on me, and I am thankful.

They Will Call Him Immanuel

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:22-23

God spoke to the prophets long before Jesus was born.

It was written that a virgin would give birth to a Son.

That son would be named Immanuel, which means God with us.

He came to die for us so that we can live with Him forever in heaven.

Pray for Us

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. — Colossians 4:3

Christ's death and resurrection is a mystery.

Someday we will live with Him in heaven, but for now we "see through a glass darkly."

We need our friends and family members to pray for us.

I need you to pray for me.

That God will use me.

That He will open a door for His message.

That I can proclaim the love and mystery of Jesus.

Not through my words or beliefs, but through my actions.

Lord, help my unbelief.

 

 

Chosen

He [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. — Ephesians 1:4

God planned for me before the word was created.

He chose me as one of His children.

I don't worship Him just to be blessed.

I worship Him because of what He has done for me.

Yesterday Abby and I walked around Lake Murray. 

It was hot but beautiful.

The ducks were paddling on the lake and a few people were fishing.

It brought back memories of her birthday party on Lake Murray when she was in elementary school.

God has chosen us to be holy in His sight.

Christ's Ambassadors

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  — 2 Corinthians 5:20
 
Today is July 4, the birthday of our country.

It is also the 20th birthday of my company.

Axos Bank was founded in the year 2000 on July 4 as BofI Federal Bank.

This year we will be celebrating without the fireworks and crowds.

Usually we meet friends down at the harbor for the fireworks display.

It will be quite a bit different this year with COVID-19.

Perhaps we will watch some of the televised celebrations from the White House.

The music is one of my favorite parts, of course.

Last year, my friend Peggy made this beautiful Poke Cake for memorial day.

This year we watched an excellent Memorial Day tribute on PBS.

It was very moving, and honored some of our veterans as well as those who gave their all for our country.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors.

Happy Independence Day!

Reconciled Through Christ

 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  — 2 Corinthians 5:18

This past week was Kirk's first as a retired teacher. 

He had a chance to get out golfing with friends twice.

And of course, one of his crowns fell out, which meant a last-minute trip to the dentist.

Fortunately, they were able to fit him in, he saved it when it fell out, and they got it set back on the tooth where it belonged.

Here is one of the cars that was decorated just a week ago to celebrate his retirement.

He also received a very complimentary email from the superintendent of his school district, wanting to get together.

Then he threw out his back a bit with the golfing.

This retirement thing will be quite an adjustment, but he is up to it.

Congratulations, Kirk!

30 years well spent.

You touched many lives, both young and old.

And you inspired many students to go on and live up to their potential.

To Your Name Be Glory

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. — Psalm 115:1

We do not take any glory for ourselves.

Instead, to God be the glory.

He is our Creator.

And He is love.

His faithfulness reaches way up to the skies.

To God's name be the glory.

Next week some of my coworkers will return to the office after working at home for the past month.

They are anxious about being among people again.

Comfort them, oh, Lord.

Take away their anxious thoughts.

Lead us to the place of your peace.

God's Great Promises

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. — 2 Peter 1:4

Tonight as I left work, I was greeted by this amazing sunset.

It reminded me of God's great love for us.

He wants me to participate in the divine nature.

Next week will be my final Herceptin I-V treatment.

They scheduled it earlier than usual, so I will take a few hours off work and enjoy dinner with my family before I head out for choir.

I will also get to ring the bell.

God has brought me through this journey.

I am thankful.

Christ Died for Us

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

Today Abby is up at Forest Home Christian Conference Center with our middle school youth as one of their counselors.

She has a room that looks like one from a hotel. They even provided the towels.

Kirk and I told her — that's our kind of camping!

The middle schoolers love having her as their counselor.

She is lots of fun, but also points them toward Jesus.

This afternoon she will be driving the students back from Forest Falls.

Everyone will be worn out and will rest well tonight.

We are thankful for wonderful get-aways and a chance to be renewed and get closer to God.
 

God Is for Us

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? — Romans 8:31

After we hear that Jesus rose again from the dead, offers us mercy and grace, and loves us - even counting the hairs on our heads, what shall we say in response?

If God is for us, we can stand against anything.

If God is for us, who is against us?

No one can stand against our wonderful God.

35 Years

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. — Psalm 126:3

Today is our 35th wedding anniversary.

It's hard to believe that Kirk and I were married 35 years ago today!

We are thankful for the times we've had together.

God has helped us to grow together in His love.

He has done great things for us.

We are blessed beyond measure.

We are filled with joy and thanksgiving.