Present Your Requests to God

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. — Philippians 4:6 

Tonight we will host our fellowship group  — 6 to 8 of us in our courtyard for appetizers and Bible reading.

We have a very fun group of church friends, some of whom live close by. 

Since we can't all worship together, it's awesome to have a time of fellowship and conversation each week.

After the appetizers, we take turns reading through the chapters of Philippians, which is what we are  going through in our sermon series.

Our pastor suggested we take turns reading the passages and listening to them.

Since God's word is living and active, I hear something new each time it is read.

His Holy Spirit works in us to help us understand God's Word.

 

Rejoice!

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! — Philippians 4:4

Today Kirk and I celebrate 36 years of marriage.

It has flown by.

God has blessed us through the ups and downs — mostly ups.

He has surrounded us by family and friends for support and guidance. 

And He gave us models of Christian parenting in our own parents.

Here we are at our 35th Anniversary party, put together by our wonderful daughter.

And celebrated with friends, neighbors, and family.

What a fun day.

Rejoice in the Lord!

Let Your Gentleness Be Evident

 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. — Philippians 4:5

Yesterday Abby and I went swimming again.

We were in the competition pool, so the water was a bit cooler.

(The photo is of the pool we swam in when we were in Palm Desert in August.)

The cool water was good, considering the air temperature was 90+, even in La Jolla.

And we had to wait about ten minutes before we could get in, since we arrived early.

The water was very refreshing and comfortable after we swam a lap.

God is near.

His love surrounds us.

And He reminds us to be gentle to all, even those we disagree with.

That is not always easy.

But it is possible, with His help.

Thank you, Lord.

My Brothers and Sisters

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! — Philippians 4:1

Last evening we worshiped outside in our church courtyard.

A couple of people had not seen my curly hair.

One didn't recognize me.

She wondered who that lady was sitting way too close to Kirk.

She expected one of our ushers to come let me know we needed to space out.

Then she realized it was me!

Another friend came up to me afterward and asked how I like the curls I have now.

Of course, I had to laugh.

Any hair is better than no hair! I replied.

But actually, the curls are nice, too.

In the 80s I briefly got a perm to add to curl to my hair.

Now it's natural.

I think God has a sense of humor.

Our Citizenship Is in Heaven

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. — Philippians 3:20-21

It is now officially autumn.

And we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will transform our lowly bodies.

When we die and come alive again, our bodies will be like His glorious body.

We rejoice in all that Jesus did for us in dying on the cross and coming alive again.

We give him all the glory and honor and praise.

 

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. — Matthew 5:11-12

I have not known persecution as some of my missionary friends have.

They are on the frontlines of the battle ground.

In other countries, freedom of religion is not a right.

We are blessed to live in a country where it is not only our right, but it is protected.

Thank you, Lord!

Please place a hedge of protection around the missionaries who in countries where they are persecuted for their religious beliefs.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Take God's View of Things

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.— Philippians 3:15

Today is the first day of October.

Another month is behind us.

A new month has begun.

Harvest, pumpkins, fall leaves, a beautiful time of year.

And the presidential debates were held last night.

This is also a season of discord, arguments, and trying to shout down the views of others.

All of us who are mature should take a different view of things.

Looking through God's eyes, we can agree to disagree.

We can share our opinions without arguing.

We can listen to our brothers and sisters even when we don't agree with them.

God calls us to listen to His voice.

To love others through Him.