The Lord Is Faithful

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. — 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Yesterday we kicked off our Vacation Bible School. 

Our theme this year is Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus was a kid.

We have several children from other countries participating.

Some who don't speak much English.

Our preschool group included one three-year-old who had just arrived in the country.

He told his mom afterward that Americans really love their cheeses.

He wasn't talking about the string cheese they served but rather the songs they sang.

When she asked him to tell her more, he said, "Today we sang about how much we love cheeses."

Then he sang, "Oh, how I love cheeses, Oh, how I love cheeses."

I couldn't stop laughing when I heard that story.

His mom shared it with the preschool teacher.

The Lord is faithful.

He will strengthen us.

And God will protect us from the evil one.

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Sing to God, Sing in Praise of His Name

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. — Psalm 68:4-5 

I love to sing praises to God.

Rejoicing before Him.

He rides on the clouds.

His name is God the Lord.

He is a father to those who have no father.

And a defender of widows.

He adopts the orphans into His family.

And He reigns over us in His holy dwelling.

Alive and well in heaven.

Extol Him!

Sing in praise of His name.

Those Who Hope In the Lord Will Renew Their Strength

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31 

Today we woke to the news that Spencer, Iowa was flooded.

The Little Sioux River overflowed its banks and sections of the town and cemetery are under water.

Our prayers go out to the people of that town and others that were affected.

Here's the Dairy Queen Kirk and Ernie stopped by on their way to Akron a couple of years ago.

We are shocked and saddened.

We hope in the Lord even when the world sends us disasters and floods.

In Christ, we will walk and not be faint.

The Lord Will Keep You From All Harm

The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. — Psalm 121:7-8

God watches over our going out and our coming in.

The Lord keeps me from all harm.

He watches over my life.

And my travels both now and forevermore.

Years ago Abby and I went to the fair together.

We got our picture taken in front of this tower.

So this year we did the same.

Such a beautiful day.

Rest in the Shadow of the Almighty

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. — Psalm 91:1 

For Juneteenth, Abby and I went to the San Diego County Fair.

It was crowded, but we had a great time.

We are grateful for the day together.

Here's the view we had from the Ferris Wheel.

We are thanking God for the beautiful day He gave us.

And for the blessing of family.

The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. —  Psalm 19:1-2

God's glory shines in the world around us.

The heavens declare His greatness.

The skies show us His creation.

The work of His hands.

Day after day, the world around us shouts His name.

Night after night, the each reveals His wisdom and knowledge.

The Lord God is amazing!

From Everlasting You Are God

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. — Psalm 90: 2, 4

Before the mountains were born,

Before God brought forth the whole world,

From everlasting to everlasting, He is God.

The Lord makes my feet like the feet of a deer.

He enables me to tread on the heights.

God leads me to streams of water.

My cup overflows!