Depression…

 Depression…

I was reading Psalm 31, gray day, cold outside, dreary, my body is tired and desperately fighting this cancer,  listening to various news selections, hearing various reports….a bit depressing….

The first few verses didn’t exactly help…but, proved that people from all time periods have experienced similar distresses….they have been depressed or heading that way just as their modern day counterparts do…

 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;my eye is wasted from grief;my soul and my body also. 

For my life is spent with sorrow,and my years with sighing;my strength fails because of my iniquity,and my bones waste away. Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,especially to my neighbors,and an object of dread to my acquaintances;those who see me in the street flee from me. 

I have been forgotten like one who is dead;I have become like a broken vessel. 

For I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side!—as they scheme together against me,as they plot to take my life. 

But, just as we can , they put their trust in 

God’s amazing love and care…goodness…He has hasn’t changed over millennia…He is still here…he hears our pleas….

But I trust in you, O Lord;I say, “You are my God.” 

My times are in your hand;rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! 

Make your face shine on your servant;save me in your steadfast love! 

O Lord, let me not be put to shame,for I call upon you;

let the wicked be put to shame;

let them go silently to Sheol. 

Let the lying lips be mute,which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt. 

Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you,in the sight of the children of mankind! 

Blessed be the Lord,for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 

I had said in my alarm,“I am cut off from your sight.”

But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. 

Love the Lord, all you his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,all you who wait for the Lord!

Ps.31.9-19,Ps.31.21-24

Thank YOU….

God will make a way….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XlEX36KYdc&list=RD-XlEX36KYdc&start_radio=1

Life is short…

 

Life is short….

When you get a diagnosis you don’t really want to hear, life gets shorter quickly…

Yesterday was the anniversary of meeting my husband for the first time…we married a year later, expecting a lifetime together…

God’s plan for us was 43 years which was amazing…not all good, not all bad…ups and downs, but for the most part great….faith building, learning…

I opened my Bible this morning and the note written in the column was…”Don, 67 years…April 16, 2012…”

 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days;

let me know how fleeting I am! 

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,and my lifetime is as nothing before you.

Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah     

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;

man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?My hope is in you. “

Hear my prayer, O Lord,and give ear to my cry;hold not your peace at my tears!For I am a sojourner with you,a guest, like all my fathers. Look away from me, that I may smile again,before I depart and am no more!”

 Ps.39.4-7Ps.39.12-13

Bible study notes…

“Life is short no matter how long we live…if there is something important we want to do, we must not put it offforma better day…ask yourself, “if I had only six months to live, what would I do?” Feel someone you love him or her? Deal with an undisciplined area in my life? Tell someone about Jesus? Because life is short, don’t neglect what is truly important….”

Thank YOU….

Psalm 39 song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBhqdGEpW1k&list=RDDBhqdGEpW1k&start_radio=1

Giant trees….

 

Giant trees…

Part of my growing up years were near the Redwood trees in Southern California. Then we moved to Northern California and we lived in the huge redwoods there…after I got married, we lived near and in the great red cedars and fir used for building

 homes, until  we set up residence in the sagebrush of Nevada…a far cry from the giant trees….if you have ever visited the Northern California coast, you find the trees very impressive to say the least…with drive-through slots cut out and thick bark, giant trees reaching for the heavens….

I thought of these amazing creations…as I read this Psalm…and the power of God’s voice…his words spoke into creation…it is powerful, more than our finite minds can ever fathom…he doesn’t have to mold or fashion…his words alone create…they are majestic …strength giving…and in the other hand they give us peace….

Thank YOU…

Theme of Psalm 29…God’s great power…he helps us weather the storms of life…

 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;the God of glory thunders,the Lord, over many waters. 

The voice of the Lord is powerful;the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 

He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 

May the Lord give strength to his people!

May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Ps.29.1-11

“The cedars of Lebanon were giant trees that could grow up to 120 feet tall and 30 feet in circumference…a voice that could break the cedars if Lebanon would be truly a powerful voice…the voice of God…when  you feel weak and limited don’t despair…remember that .god can give you strength. The power that controls creation and raises the dead is avail to you…” Bible study notes…

Pslam 29 song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbsbBq-q2D8&list=RDPbsbBq-q2D8&start_radio=1

Black Friday…

Black Friday….

I am not usually a Black Friday shopper, as in being at a particular store at 5 or 6  am for the bargain of the year…if I am supposed to have it, it will be there at noon…or later…

This is the time of the year, I stock up socks and/or underwear for operation Christmas child boxes, as one store has those items 1/2 off for this day only…so late afternoon is my time for that excursion…no crowds…

But, I had to find out where the term came from and there are several references about it…some good ideas and some not so good…kind of a checkered past…but, it still goes on…we look for bargains when we can…

I think of this verse whenever I get a great bargain…the buyer wants a bargain, so he tries to barter down the price…only to boast when he wins…

 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,but when he goes away, then he boasts.

Prov.20.14

Bottom line, God gives the funds, we are to be wise stewards, bringing glory to His kingdom, laying up eternal treasures, not loving money….there is no room for a trailer of “stuff” we accumulated…God is already at work on our eternal home….and we probably won’t need discounted socks or underwear…but those given in Jesus’ name may have brought someone into the kingdom…

 In my Father's house are many rooms. 

If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

John.14.2-3

Thank YOU….

Silver and gold ….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZO9BPkqyCU&list=RDhZO9BPkqyCU&start_radio=1

https://www.history.com/articles/black-friday-thanksgiving-origins-history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)

https://www.gotquestions.org/saving-money.html 

Thankful prayers…

 Thankful prayers….

“Thanksgiving” is the word today…

But, life can be so much better if we are daily filled with thanksgiving, gratefulness, gratitude, grace…God’s peace come with giving thanksgiving….what a treasure we miss without thanksgiving….

 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2Cor.4.15

 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. 

And be thankful. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Col.3.15,Col.3.16,Col.3.17

 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1Tim.4.4-5

Thank YOU….

Thank you song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zRCupFFF5k&list=RD_zRCupFFF5k&start_radio=1

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/25-short-thanksgiving-prayers-and-blessings-for-expressing-gratitude-around-the-dinner-table.html

Anger…

 Anger…

I was watching the news and the Secretary of Transportation was speaking about bring civility back into air travel…what a concept!

I wish more people would practice that…being kind, showing kindness, kind words would all be welcomed in society…I thought growing up that that was the way to act…swearing was not allowed, name calling a no-no, rudeness had no place…now it all seems so “acceptable “…the “wrongs “ have taken over the rights…and the “rights “ are now seen as wrong…where did civility go?

In the ESV translation  of the Bible the word anger is used 269 times…some very legitimate, while others are warnings….

Thank YOU…

A few….

 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Ps.37.8

 And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.

Exod.32.22 

 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’

Num.14.18

 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites,

Judg.10.7

 “The godless in heart cherish anger;they do not cry for help when he binds them.

Job.36.13

 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Ps.86.15, 103:8

 A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger. A gentle tongue is a tree of life,but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Prov.15.1,Prov.15.4

 A man of wrath stirs up strife,and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Prov.29.22

 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

Eccl.10.4

 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.His way is in whirlwind and storm,and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Nah.1.3

 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Eph.4.26,Eph.4.31,Eph.4:32

 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

1Tim.2.8

 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Jas.1.19-20

Fruit of the spirit…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RscbNxlMkvc&list=RDRscbNxlMkvc&start_radio=1&pp=ygUYZnJ1aXQgb2YgdGhlIHNwaXJpdCBzb25noAcB

Psalm 36:5-9…

 Psalm 36:5-9….God’s loved poured out…

I was reading this , this morning…God’s love poured out , his faithfulness, his righteousness, his light…there are just days I need to be reminded…and his Word is the place to go…

Thank YOU….

 5.  Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,your faithfulness to the clouds. 

6. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;

your judgments are like the great deep;

man and beast you save, O Lord. 

 It is higher than heaven—what can you do?Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

Job.11.8

 Your way was through the sea,your path through the great waters;yet your footprints were unseen.

Ps.77.19

 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

 Rom.11.33

7. How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 

 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

Ruth.2.12

 Keep me as the apple of your eye;hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Ps.17.8

8.  They feast on the abundance of your house,and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 

 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,to dwell in your courts!We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,the holiness of your temple!

Ps.65.4

 He will not look upon the rivers,the streams flowing with honey and curds.

Job.20.17

 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. 

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. 

They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Rev.22.1-5

9. For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light do we see light.

 Ps.36.5-9

 for my people have committed two evils:they have forsaken me,the fountain of living waters,and hewed out cisterns for themselves,broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jer.2.13

 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1Pet.2.9

 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Prov.10.11

 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Prov.13.14

  The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Prov.14.27

 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,but the instruction of fools is folly.

Prov.16.22

Be exalted …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FwvEBULwIQ&list=RD8FwvEBULwIQ&start_radio=1

 

Fret….

 Fret….

: to cause to suffer emotional strain : VEX

: to pass (time) in fretting

: to eat or gnaw into : CORRODE

also : FRAY Merriam Webster….

I liked these definitions of “Fret”….especially the “corrode” one…

When you think about fretting over someone, something, worrying it like a dog with a bone…corrode is a great picture…we are eating or gnawing on something that takes our time, energy and attention with poor outcome….God has already taken care of it….

 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;be not envious of wrongdoers! 

For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!

Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Ps.37.1,Ps.37.2,Ps.37.8

Thank YOU….

Psalm 37 song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjcKcLiSEKo&list=RDrjcKcLiSEKo&start_radio=1

Psalm 37

 Psalm 37….

This psalm, for me, dredges up a lot of bad memories. But, on the other hand it pulls up a lot of faith lessons and how God, in bad circumstances, worked in my husband’s and my lives during some rough periods of time…

For several years we were in business with another, who was embezzling funds…when we finally awakened to what was happening, we spent countless hours going over books, praying for wisdom, sleepless nights, talking to accountants and lawyers until we came to the the conclusion of what we were going to do about…a place of peace for what we decided was the best plan for us…we saw our lawyers, signed dissolutions papers and walked away… and that decision was based on this psalm…not fretting, relying on God to take care of the problem his way…and He has…looking back, I am so thankful that we didn’t take revenge in our own way…

God took care of it…

Thank YOU….

He will carry you…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tovcA5i7k&list=RDU4tovcA5i7k&start_radio=1

 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;be not envious of wrongdoers! 

For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 

Trust in the Lord, and do good;dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 

Delight yourself in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the Lord;trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,and your justice as the noonday. 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,over the man who carries out evil devices! 

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!

Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 

For the evildoers shall be cut off,but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. 

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 

But the meek shall inherit the landand delight themselves in abundant peace. 

The wicked plots against the righteousand gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he sees that his day is coming. 

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bowsto bring down the poor and needy,to slay those whose way is upright; their sword shall enter their own heart,and their bows shall be broken. 

Better is the little that the righteous has-than the abundance of many wicked. 

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,but the Lord upholds the righteous. 

The Lord knows the days of the blameless,and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times;in the days of famine they have abundance. 

But the wicked will perish;the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;they vanish—like smoke they vanish away. The wicked borrows but does not pay back,but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,but those cursed by him shall be cut off. 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,for the Lord upholds his hand. 

I have been young, and now am old,yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 

He is ever lending generously,and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good;so shall you dwell forever. 

For the Lord loves justice;he will not forsake his saints.

They are preserved forever,but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 

The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. 

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,and his tongue speaks justice. 

The law of his God is in his heart;his steps do not slip. The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. 

The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. 

Wait for the Lord and keep his way,and he will exalt you to inherit the land;you will look on when the wicked are cut off. 

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,spreading himself like a green laurel tree. 

But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;though I sought him, he could not be found. 

Mark the blameless and behold the upright,for there is a future for the man of peace. 

But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;the future of the wicked shall be cut off. 

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 

The Lord helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,because they take refuge in him.

Ps.37.1-40

Psalm 34:9-15

 

Psalm 34:9-15

There are times that I question verses 9 and 10… I know it to be true, I know God said it and that should be good enough, but I see an injustice ( in my mind) and I question…then I have to give it over into his capable hands….the other day, I visited a friend who is going through sooooo much…we sat , visited, cried together, prayed…and I left and cried some more…and I still cry whenever I think about…and I ask, “what’s good about this.” And God listens and gives peace that He knows what He is doing…not my problem…

Thank YOU…..

9. Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,for those who fear him have no lack! 

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Ps.23.1

10. The young lions suffer want and hunger;but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 

 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;the Lord bestows favor and honor.No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Ps.84.11

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Rom.8.28

11. Come, O children, listen to me;I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Ps.32.8

12. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 

 For“Whoever desires to love life and see good days,let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

1Pet.3.10

13. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 

 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you are healed.

1Pet.2.22-24

14. Turn away from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it. 

 Turn away from evil and do good;so shall you dwell forever.

Ps.37:27

 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Heb.12.14

15. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 

 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience],On those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness,

Ps.33.18AMP

 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

Job.36.6,Job.36.7

Abide with me….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1nuDXZrp9k&list=RDD1nuDXZrp9k&start_radio=1

Psalm 34:16-22

 Psalm 34:16-22…

I have been thinking about this poem written by Corrie ten Boom…and wanted to share it again…when I look at prayer requests that come my way through various means…there are darks threads and light ones as well…it is sometimes hard to get through the dark ones, they can block the light ones so easily…

Corrie, having gone through the Holocaust, losing dear family, and friends likened our lives to be a tapestry so beautifully…

https://thepoetryplace.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/life-is-but-a-weaving-the-tapestry-poem-by-corrie-ten-boom/

These word in psalm 34…gives us hope….

Thank YOU

16. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 

 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Lev.17.10-11

 For“Whoever desires to love life and see good days,let him keep his tongue from eviland his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good;let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,and his ears are open to their prayer.But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1Pet.3.10-12

 “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will set my face against you for harm, to cut off all Judah. Jer.44.11

 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,but the name of the wicked will rot.

Prov.10.7

 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Rev.1.5

17. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 

 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;he also hears their cry and saves them.

Ps.145.19

18. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

 The Lord is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Ps.145.8

 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:“I dwell in the high and holy place,and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,to revive the spirit of the lowly,and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isa.57.15

19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous,but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 

 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Prov.24.16

Verses 4,6,17 of this same chapter

20. He keeps all his bones;not one of them is broken.

 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

John.19.33-37

21. Affliction will slay the wicked,and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 

 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness;the Lord our God will wipe them out.

Ps.94.23

22. The Lord redeems the life of his servants;none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

        Ps.34.9-22

  And the king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity,

1Kgs.1.29

 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.

Ps.71.21

Psalm 34 song….

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yOzf0VrDNGU&list=RDyOzf0VrDNGU&start_radio=1&pp=ygUNcHNhbG0gMzQgc29uZ6AHAQ%3D%3D

The sky box

 The skybox…

Last night I was honored to go to the 80 th birthday celebration of Mission Aviation Fellowship….

https://maf.org

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Aviation_Fellowship

Our family has been involved with them for several years, known three different leaders over time, each with different visions of growth and service…all of whom served with humbleness, integrity and Christian values befitting the original plan to people in the remotest places-the ends of the earth…

Wandering around the sky box looking at the amazing views was a reminder of the organization…you are up on the fifth floor with wall to windows seeing the world at sunset, nightlights below and around the foothills and other buildings…you can see far into the night with twinkling lights, traffic below and buildings with their lights going on and off…

You see the things close at hand like the staff of MAF…mechanics to teachers to secretaries to various ones who keep the organization working….all while serving God…a support team…

Then a little ways away, lights working , someone moving through the streets or an occasional aircraft coming into the nearby airport…like the pilots and their families fanning out to the remote areas of the globe…lights in their areas of life, where God called them to serve…

 Further away, not so clear in the dark, a vision for the future…they don’t know all that is ahead…but God has a plan and he will reveal it in his time…and then it will be clear…and what God has planned, he will provide for…and they can celebrate renewed enthusiasm, renewed service, renewed commitment, renewed vision, renewed tools, planes…

Thank YOU…

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jer.29.11-13

 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matt.28.18-20

 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

Jer.33.9

Jehovah Jireh…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsH_TtZReY&list=RDfCsH_TtZReY&start_radio=1

Psalm 34:1-8

 Psalm 34:1-8

I enjoy finding verses that speak of one another…one verse leads into another similar verse or idea…they build on each other and affirm one another…that is why slowing down to one book in one week lets you do that…and for those who are so theological can study one verse at a time…finding the minute meanings for each word and then putting it back into context enjoy their work as well…

Not all of us are so inclined, but enjoy the meanings when another explains…

The Word says of itself, “every word “ is important…

Thank YOU….

1. I will bless the Lord at all times;his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;you are he who took me from my mother's womb.My praise is continually of you.

Ps.71.6

 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph.5.20

2. My soul makes its boast in the Lord;let the humble hear and be glad. 

 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Jer.9.24

 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1Cor.1.31

 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,because I have hoped in your word.

Ps.119.74

3. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,and let us exalt his name together! 

 And Mary said,“My soul magnifies the Lord,

Luke.1.46

4. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matt.7.7

5. Those who look to him are radiant,and their faces shall never be ashamed. 

 For with you is the fountain of life;in your light do we see light.

Ps.36.9

 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Ps.25.3

6. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 

 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble,and forgive all my sins.

Ps.25.17-18

7. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 

 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2Kgs.6.17

 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2Kgs.6.17

8. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 

 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1Pet.2.2-3

 Kiss the Son,lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,for his wrath is quickly kindled.Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Ps.2.12

Thy Word…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI1ABsX4Fgo&list=RDkI1ABsX4Fgo&start_radio=1

Namesake…2…

 Namesakes…2…

I was working on estate stuff, updating it as we do every year…legacy stuff, finances…realizing again how much God has blessed us…not only financially but with a heritage …I looked at some chains of names down through time…the youngest ones will not meet here those whose names they have been given …we have gotten so used to our pictures on our phones, that we sometimes forget to put them in albums to actually sit down, look at and talk about…

So, in my rabbit trail, I started pulling out old pictures of name sakes, where did they come from, who and how are they related to  the current generations…those namesakes were real people, they lived real lives, had their ups and downs just like we still do…

We know that God named Jesus, John…but, Jesus probably had earthly grandparents who were a part of his life…who loved him, played with him, bounced him on their knees…spoke wisdom into his life as he was growing up…he had a earthly father, Joseph, who probably took him into his carpentry shop and taught him how to safely use tools of his trade…

David may have known Ruth and Boaz, saw the kindness that Boaz showed to his wife Ruth…and his laborers…characteristics that would show up in his life…in caring for Jonathan’s son…

These make not be namesakes in name, but in character…traits that go from one generation to another…

We learn of God’s character qualities reading through Scripture…we get a picture of what He is like, past, present and future…how personal he is…

 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Ps.34.8

I am really not into genealogy…but I enjoy some of the family stories of past ancestors…I find solace that we lived very similar lives, we had family that loved us, took refuge in God …made it through the thick and thin of life’s adventures.

Thank YOU….

You are God alone…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOargNFiDd4&list=RDZOargNFiDd4&start_radio=1

Namesakes

 Namesakes…

I couldn’t sleep earlier this morning so I looked for pictures in my online albums…I realized that some of my grandchildren may not have pictures of people they were named after…

It brought to mind a Norman Rockwell picture where he painted people from different generations who never knew one another…but were painted together like they did…

So I was on the hunt to pick out pictures of people who have long passed, but their namesakes are living…

When we picked out our children’s name, we picked by meaning and then added a family name…

We have, “like a fox “, “liberty”, “beloved” and “chosen”…they fit at birth and they still do…their other names from grandparents fit as well…one even has the same birthday as a great grandmother …

Meaning of names were important in Bible Times in the Bible…they may have meant a family name, a historical event, a prophecy, their place in history, their place in life…etc…

“The name David is of Hebrew origin, derived from the word dāwīḏ, which means "beloved." This name embodies a sense of affection and closeness, reflecting the character of David as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The significance of being "beloved" extends beyond personal relationships; it illustrates the intimate bond that God desires with His people.”

https://bibledictionarytoday.com/biblical-names/david/#google_vignette

David, a man who was king, but wrote soooo many of the Psalms… which brings us to such a love relationship with God, our refuge, our Creator…

 I will bless the Lord at all times;his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;let the humble hear and be glad. 

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,and let us exalt his name together!

Ps.34.1-3

Thank YOU…

The names of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCr0huXzK18&list=RDeCr0huXzK18&start_radio=1

In my basket…

 In my basket….

“I have a Bible in my basket….Pastor Jarmin talked about journeys….he said God  would protect our steps so we wouldn’t get lost…I packed my Bible and carried it with me so …I wouldn’t have troubles…it didn’t work…I got lost…

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me…Psalm 119:133…”

That text and many others like it tell us to choose to do things that God has told us are good…the Bible tells us how God thinks about things, which things are good and which are bad. When a person chooses to do bad, the bad things control him, and he can be unhappy. This is important. God says it often in the Bible, so He must think it is very important. You must follow the paths that he has labeled to be good….if you do that the you will  be a happy person, and you will know God is helping you…..carrying a Bible doesn’t make him closer to you…you have to carry Him in your heart…you have to love Him..being a Christian is something you cannot pack in your basket….it’s your attitude toward your Heavenly Father””……Kathleen Paul…

A quote from an old novel…the truth still holds…we can’t carry the Bible in our “basket” and expect to be saved…we need belief and believe that Jesus alone saves…and ask Him to be our Saviour …we need Him in our heart not in a basket….

Thank YOU….

Believe in Jesus…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT0FB6o7Jgk&list=RDaT0FB6o7Jgk&start_radio=1

A folded flag…

 Folded flag….

I have a folded flag given to me at my husband’s burial…the military men precisely folded it and handed it to me ….we, who were there, all wore our sun glasses to hide the tears that were being shed…we still had two more memorial services to attend…one in his hometown and another in a state away, where he  spent his career days…

My husband didn’t see war service…his brothers had…he trained others…

My father tried to join, but he had a heart murmur…so he encouraged others and lost friends in WW2…

Many in my class went to Vietnam, some to return whole and others, changed or gone  forever…

The Bible talks about end times in wars, wars and rumors of wars…we have had them since forever…greed, lust for power, jealousy, evil has changed generations with wars…

This article came up this morning…a reminder that we can gift a veteran with our prayers…remembering their sacrifice for us…

5 Prayers for Veterans for Veterans Day 2025 - Comfort and Honor | Crosswalk.com

Thank YOU…

A soldier’s prayer…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLG0NKomuI&list=RDaVLG0NKomuI&start_radio=1

Old and new things…

 Old and new things….

When I was growing up, every once in a while my grandfather would get out his old toys, coins, tools and lets us look at them…while he told stories about his childhood or about the items he showed…

There was a round toy with a small handle, strings attached to a ball…if you slightly twirled it , a  ball would rotate around and around so that the little wooden man would bend to feed tiny little birds… or coins that his mother had collected in the century before, stuffing them into loose tobacco bags…fun election buttons from the past politicians…kitchen gadgets that were still usable but had be replaced with new designs….old clothing buttons, plain or decorative….

The items were fun to hear the stories about…the soothing voice of him…his laughter of by gone days…he would laugh until he 

cried, wiping his tears with a big red handkerchief…

What treasured memories….

 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Matt.13.5

Can You Identify 50 OLD Items from the Past in Just 5 Seconds? #Video - Mels Video Of The Day ( MVOTD.COM )

Ancient Words….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQofxJJrhiQ&list=RDzQofxJJrhiQ&start_radio=1

Psalm 32:6-11…water and fire…

 Psalm 32:6-11…water and fire…

 You know, I don’t like to suffer…there is it out there…in the open…I endure it because that seems part of the plan God has for me…I am surprised by it….it seems like we should have great life being a child of the King…but, no there are some lessons along the way, that I don’t understand….

When others are suffering and asking why, I can only point them to the Word…and then maybe we can learn together and the usually only in part…only God has the final answers and they may not be revealed to our finite minds…but I have his assurance of his unfailing love…

 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. 

Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: 

bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Col.1.3-14

Thank YOU…

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

1Pet.4.12

6. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;surely in the rush of great waters,they shall not reach him. 

 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.

At an acceptable time, O God,in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. 

Deliver me from sinking in the mire;

let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 

Let not the flood sweep over me,or the deep swallow me up,or the pit close its mouth over me. 

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;

according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Ps.69.13-16

 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;call upon him while he is near;

Isa.55.6

 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isa.43.2,Isa.43.3a

7. You are a hiding place for me;you preserve me from trouble;you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 

 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,a stronghold in times of trouble.

Ps.9.9

 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying,“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

Exod.15.1

8. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 

 Good and upright is the Lord;therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

Ps.25.8

 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,on those who hope in his steadfast love,

Ps.33.18

9. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,which must be curbed with bit and bridle,or it will not stay near you. 

 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Jas.3.3

 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,and I walk in your faithfulness.

 Ps.26.3

“God longs to guide us with love and wisdom rather than punishment. He offers to teach us the best way to go. Accept the advice written in God’s Word and don’t let your stubbornness keep you from obeying God. “ Bible study notes…

10. Many are the sorrows of the wicked,but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 

 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

Rom.2.9-11

 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Prov.16.20

11. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Ps.32:11

 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Prov.16.20

*****Hiding place…new one …*****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilqh-N7thDU&list=RDilqh-N7thDU&start_radio=1

Nativity 3…a simple stencil…

 Nativity 3…a simple stencil….

A simple stencil of a nativity…Gold to represent royalty…on white to represent purity….which are found in Jesus…

 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”

Gen.17.15-16

 I have found David, my servant;with my holy oil I have anointed him, so that my hand shall be established with him;my arm also shall strengthen him. 

The enemy shall not outwit him;the wicked shall not humble him. 

I will crush his foes before himand strike down those who hate him. 

My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,and in my name shall his horn be exalted. 

I will set his hand on the seaand his right hand on the rivers. 

He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ 

And I will make him the firstborn,the highest of the kings of the earth. 

My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,and my covenant will stand firm for him. I will establish his offspring foreverand his throne as the days of the heavens. 

His offspring shall endure forever,his throne as long as the sun before me.

Ps.89.20-29,Ps.89.36

 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke.1.32,Luke.1.33,Luke.2.10-12

 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

1Tim.6.13-16

 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Rev.1.5

Thank YOU….

What child is this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jroBAl3WW8&list=RD6jroBAl3WW8&start_radio=1

Interesting…puts a different light on the birth place of Jesus…

https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/life-and-ministry-of-jesus-and-apostles/4866-away-in-a-manger-but-not-in-a-barn-an-archaeological-look-at-the-nativity

Psalm 32:1-5

 Psalm 32:1-5

 

Forgiveness has been God’s plan since the beginning…

He told Moses, revealed it in  the psalms, and showed it through Jesus…how great a gift…

Forgiven….

sin covered…

Doesn’t count our sins against us…

 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

Exod.34.6-8

The ultimate gift of forgiveness….

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

 

“As you read these psalms, note the pattern followed by the psalmists in responding to God…

They recognize their sinfulness..

They realized that sin was rebellion against God himself….

They admitted their sins to God…

They trusted in God’s willingness to forgive….

They accepted his forgiveness….

Similar psalm that emphasize these themes-6;14; 31; 32; 38; 41; 51; 102; 130; 143” Bible study notes…

 1. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered. 

 You forgave the iniquity of your people;you covered all their sin. Selah

Ps.85.2

 2. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Rom.4.7-8

 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

2Cor.5.19

 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

John.1.47

3.For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 

 For my life is spent with sorrow,and my years with sighing;my strength fails because of my iniquity,and my bones waste away.

Ps.31.10

4. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 

5. I acknowledged my sin to you,and I did not cover my iniquity;I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 

 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Prov.28.13

 as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Ps.103.12

 “But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me,

Lev.26.40

Thank YOU…

For God so loved the World…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Ycg8KcN1A&list=RDw8Ycg8KcN1A&start_radio=1

Psalm

Psalm 27:7-14….who do we seek…

 

Psalm 27:7-14….who do we seek….

Two of my husband’s favorite verses  are found in the book of Matthew…

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Matt.7.7-8

As a surprise when we repainted one of our houses one time, I had them painted on the wall in our bedroom…so they were the first verses we saw upon awakening…ask, seek, find….what promises…..

7. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;be gracious to me and answer me! 

 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

Ps.13.3

8.You have said, “Seek my face.”My heart says to you,“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”     

 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Ps.63.1

 Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 

Seek the Lord and his strength;seek his presence continually!

Ps.105.3,Ps.105.4

 I love those who love me,and those who seek me diligently find me.

Prov.8.17

 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matt.6.33

9.Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,O God of my salvation! 

 Hide not your face from your servant,for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.

Ps.69.17

10. For my father and my mother have forsaken me,but the Lord will take me in. 

11.Teach me your way, O Lord,and lead me on a level path because  of my enemies. 

 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies;make your way straight before me.

Ps.5.8

 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;teach me your paths.

Ps.25.4

 Teach me your way, O Lord,that I may walk in your truth;unite my heart to fear your name.

Ps.86.11

12.Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;for false witnesses have risen against me,and they breathe out violence. 

 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;for false witnesses have risen against me,and they breathe out violence.

Ps.27.12

 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward…

Matt.26.60

13. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 

 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who fear youand worked for those who take refuge in you,in the sight of the children of mankind!

Ps.31.19

 But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.I did not know it was against me-they devised schemes, saying,“Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,let us cut him off from the land of the living,that his name be remembered no more.”

Jer.11.19

 then I will make you go down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of old, and I will make you to dwell in the world below, among ruins from of old, with those who go down to the pit, so that you will not be inhabited; but I will set beauty in the land of the living.

Ezek.26.20

14. Wait for the Lord;be strong, and let your heart take courage;wait for the Lord!

 I waited patiently for the Lord;he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction,out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock,making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God.Many will see and fear,and put their trust in the Lord.

Ps.40.1-3

 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him,to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lam.3.24-26

Thank YOU….

Seek ye first….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SllpeAbjcng&list=RDSllpeAbjcng&start_radio=1

Psalm 4-6…celebrate…sing unto the Lord….

 

Psalm 27:4-6….celebrate…sing unto the Lord…

 I will sing to the Lord,because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Ps.13.6

Whenever there is something positive as in good from a cancer result, my cancer  doctor asks, “so how are you going to celebrate?”…at first, I didn’t know how to answer and sometimes still don’t…but, this week I did…I had another birthday…and my family added unexpected surprises to that as well…

With cancer or other diagnoses we don’t always get to celebrate…but even small things, advances are worth the celebrations…

David said he would “sing and make music to the LORD” and it is worth it….

THANK YOU….

4..One thing have I asked of the Lord,that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 

 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,and establish the work of our hands upon us;yes, establish the work of our hands!

Ps.90.17

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me-all the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ps.23.6

 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.

Ps.26.8

5. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;he will lift me high upon a rock. 

 Keep me as the apple of your eye;hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Ps.17.8

 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men;you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

Ps.31.20

 My soul thirsts for God,for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?

Ps.42.2

6. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 

 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Ps.3.3

 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Ps.107.22

Sing the Lord…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=69OEHJOEvuA&list=RD69OEHJOEvuA&start_radio=1&pp=ygUQU2luZyB0byB0aGUgbG9yZKAHAQ%3D%3D

 

Psalm 27:1-4… light and fears….

 Psalm 27:1-4… light and fears…

Right now cancer is a reality for me…I really don’t want to be known as the woman with cancer…there is so much more to life than that…but I don’t want to fear to assail or trap me…I want live while I can…be apart of life that revolves around. ….every time I go to the cancer center, I see despair…the staff is amazing with smiles and encouragement…they to brighten everyone’s day with encouraging words…

I realize this psalm may not be about cancer, but that is the way it spoke to me…

I like the words…

Light…

salvation…

No fear…

Stronghold…

Strength…

Song…

Love…

Enemies stumbling….not winning…

Confidence…

Hope…

integrity…

Thank YOU ….

 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;of whom shall I be afraid? 

 The sun shall be no more your light by day,nor for brightness shall the moon give you light;but the Lord will be your everlasting light,and your God will be your glory. 

Your sun shall no more go down,nor your moon withdraw itself;for the Lord will be your everlasting light,and your days of mourning shall be ended.

Isa.60.19-20

 The Lord is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation;this is my God, and I will praise him,my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Exod.15.2

 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John.8.12

 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.What can man do to me?Ps.118.6

“ fear is a dark shadow that envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves….if we want to dispel the darkness of fear, we need to remember with the psalmist that “the LORD is my light 

and my salvation.” Bible study notes…

 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1John.4.18

2. When evildoers assail me-to eat up my flesh,my adversaries and foes,it is they who stumble and fall. 

 When my enemies turn back,they stumble and perish before your presence.

Ps.9.3

 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?

Ps.14.4

3..Though an army encamp against me,my heart shall not fear;though war arise against me,yet I will be confident. 

 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Ps.3.6

 Is not your fear of God your confidence,and the integrity of your ways your hope?

Job.4.6

4. One thing have I asked of the Lord,that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 

 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,and establish the work of our hands upon us;yes, establish the work of our hands!

Ps.90.17

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me-all the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ps.23.6

 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.

Ps.26.8

Whom shall I fear…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0gu0nOaFsI&list=RDR0gu0nOaFsI&start_radio=1

Today…

 Today….

 This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Ps.118.24

Last night I watched a partial speech given by a young widow whose husband was killed before a crowd a few short weeks ago.  personally I had never heard about him until that day….

She said he would ask himself these three questions everyday…

“1.  What can I do for someone today?

2. What is something I can add value to the world today?

3. How can I honor God today?”

I thought of those questions this morning as I was reading this  portion of scripture…apparently this young man was getting death threats and still he stood his ground. His desire was to live for the Lord…just as David did…no matter the circumstances…

 The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid? 

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh,my adversaries and foes,it is they who stumble and fall. 

Though an army encamp against me,my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,yet I will be confident.

Ps.27.1,Ps.27.2,Ps.27.3”

“He ( the pastor) spoke to them of Jesus’ love and the need for every Christian to grow to be the kind of Christian whom God could use in His service. He spoke of the need to do something with their lives instead of wasting the time God gave people here on earth…”…Darlene Mindrup…

Each day is important…and each person has a purpose, a plan…

I Corinthians 12,14…

Romans 12…

 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; 

it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Eph.2.4-10

Thank YOU…

Palm 27 song…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jqj6QXmy68&list=RD8Jqj6QXmy68&start_radio=1&pp=ygUZcHNhbG0gMjcgc29uZyB3aXRoIGx5cmljc6AHAQ%3D%3D

Room. 7….

 Room 7…

Yesterday my infusion room was number 7, my favorite…I have had it all seasons except winter and if infusions go well, I may have it this winter this year sometime…

Rooms 4-7 face the outside with ceiling to floor glass looking out on different views of a fresh water feature, Lilly pads, lilies, fish, maybe a duck or two, a large  pruned shrub-with dozens of bird nests and bird feeders…

But room 7 has a platform birder low to the ground next to the window…so low-feeding birds feed are there as well as the high-feeding birds …and now the squirrels have added their antics to the show…

Yesterday, someone had placed a large block of bird seed on the platform as well as peanuts …it was busy! Towhees, doves, sparrows, little snow birds and finally the squirrels who would zoom through quickly while the birds would flutter up, then settle down, eating with gusto…the squirrels would finally get their chance and one at a time would sit, flicking their tail, while eating the peanuts like corn on the cob, moving their tiny paws back and forth…

This is small pleasure at the cancer center…you are there for a much harder reason…so little pleasures are not taken lightly…

 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt.6.25-34

 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Matt.10.30-32

Thank YOU….

This a song from the past, but so good…

His eye is on the sparrow…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkCoaNgFj-s&list=RDCkCoaNgFj-s&start_radio=1

Psalm 25:16-22

 Psalm 25:16-22

Loneliness….reading the first verse of this section, the word lonely comes up…that word only comes up three times in the Bible search, synonyms come up though…I thought about it…raised as an only child, on ranches in California, I never really thought about being lonely…there was always something to do…animals, other ranching families, get togethers, school…I was never bored…even after I got married, before children, my husband was away a lot of the time with geology exploration…then of course children don’t leave you lonely, with their chatter, activities…even widowhood has not been lonely( it’s not something I would choose and I do miss my husband)……I have come to realize that loneliness can be a choice and in some ways, I have been trained to be alone over the experiences of my life…God has always been there to talk to, listen…I am so grateful for Him…he may not be an audible voice, but he is there all the same…

thank YOU….

16.Turn to me and be gracious to me,for I am lonely and afflicted. 

 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Ps.69.16

 I lie awake;I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.

Ps.102.7

 How lonely sits the city that was full of people!

How like a widow has she become,she who was great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave. 

She weeps bitterly in the night,with tears on her cheeks;among all her  lovers she has none to comfort her;

all her friends have dealt treacherously with her;

they have become her enemies. 

Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude;

she dwells now among the nations,but finds no resting place;

her pursuers have all overtaken her-in the midst of her distress.

Lam.1.1-3

17.The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses. 

 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,and he delivered them from their distress.

Ps.107.6

18.Consider my affliction and my trouble,and forgive all my sins. 

 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts! 

And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting!

Ps.139.1,Ps.139.23-24

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1John.1.9

19.Consider how many are my foes,and with what violent hatred they hate me. 

 O Lord, how many are my foes!Many are rising against me;

Ps.3.1

20.Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 

 Preserve my life, for I am godly;save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.

Ps.86.2

 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

This God—his way is perfect;the word of the Lord proves true;he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Ps.18.2,Ps.18.30

21.May integrity and uprightness preserve me,for I wait for you. 

 But you have upheld me because of my integrity,and set me in your presence forever.

Ps.41.12

22.Redeem Israel, O God,out of all his troubles.

 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Ps.130.8

  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!“May they be secure who love you! 

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 

For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,I will seek your good.

Ps.122.6-9

He’s my rock my sword, shield…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HumevW8l2lA&list=RDHumevW8l2lA&start_radio=1

Psalm 25:8-15…

 Psalm 25: 8-15

8.Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 

 to declare that the Lord is upright;he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Ps.92.15

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Ps.32.8

9.He leads the humble in what is right,and teaches the humble his way. 

 He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Ps.23.3

 Teach me your way, O Lord,and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Ps.27.11

 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1Pet.5.5

10.All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrainyour mercy from me;your steadfast love and your faithfulness willever preserve me!

Ps.40.11

 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.

Ps.103.17,Ps.103.18

11.For your name's sake, O Lord,pardon my guilt, for it is great. 

 For you are my rock and my fortress;and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

Ps.31.3

 Help us, O God of our salvation,for the glory of your name;deliver us, and atone for our sins,for your name's sake!

Ps.79.9

12.Who is the man who fears the Lord?

Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 

 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,when he delights in his way;

Ps.37.23

13. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land…

 The fear of the Lord leads to life,and whoever has it rests satisfied;he will not be visited by harm.

Prov.19.23

 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Ps.37.11

14.The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,and he makes known to them his covenant. 

 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,but the upright are in his confidence.

Prov.3.32

 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

John.7.17

15.My eyes are ever toward the Lord,for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 

 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord;in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!

Ps.141.8

Humble yourself…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cVis5asmH2k&list=RDcVis5asmH2k&start_radio=1&pp=ygUoaHVtYmxlIHlvdXJzZWxmIGluIHRoZSBzaWdodCBvZiB0aGUgbG9yZKAHAQ%3D%3D

Psalm 25:1-7

 Psalm 25:1-7

 1.To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 

 Gladden the soul of your servant,for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

 Ps.86.4

 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,for in you I trust.Make me know the way I should go,for to you I lift up my soul.

Ps.143.8

2.O my God, in you I trust;let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me. 

 By this I know that you delight in me:my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.

Ps.41.11

3.Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 

 Kings shall be your foster fathers,and their queens your nursing mothers.With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,and lick the dust of your feet.Then you will know that I am the Lord;those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”

Isa.49.23

4.Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths. 

 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”

Exod.33.13

 When I told of my ways, you answered me;teach me your statutes! 

Make me understand the way of your precepts,and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 

Put false ways far from meand graciously teach me your law! Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end. 

Lead me in the path of your commandments,for I delight in it.

Ps.119.26,Ps.119.27,Ps.119.29,Ps.119.33,Ps.119.35

5.Lead me in your truth and teach me,for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long. 

6.Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,for they have been from of old. 

 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children,

Ps.103.17

 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,the praises of the Lord,according to all that the Lord has granted us,and the great goodness to the house of Israelthat he has granted them according to his compassion,according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 

Look down from heaven and see,from your holy and beautiful habitation.Where are your zeal and your might?The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.

Isa.63.7,15

7.Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;according to your steadfast love remember me,for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! 

 For you write bitter things against me-and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

Job.13.26

 Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Ps.51.1

 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.”

Jer.3.25

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1John.1.9

Unto to thee…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjqlkWhz-aA&list=RDtjqlkWhz-aA&start_radio=1