Take Delight

“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.” Isaiah 61:3 NLT Our focus group is in full swing; and

Stand Firm​

“This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the

Filled with His Glory

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9  And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every

The Strength of my Heart

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26  “Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort

Something Beautiful Remains

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:27 “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  “The grass withers and the flowers fall,

Do Not Worry​

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;

Gathered Together

Nehemiah chapter 8 begins with all the people gathered for the public reading of the Law of Moses in front of the Water Gate in the open square. The priests, religious people and the Levites explained the word for all to understand. People listened closely to learn as Ezra shared God’s Law and they wept

Love

Photo by Michael Schwander Who do you love in your life?  Perhaps, what first comes to mind, are your parents, your spouse or a best friend.  Do you love the Lord?  Do you love the One who loves you the most?     “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

From the Ashes

“Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”  1 Chronicles 16:33-34 This week I took my sons and mom to the Columbia River Gorge.  We set out for an

Be Strong and Courageous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9   Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24 God tells us throughout the Bible to be courageous