Preaching

Matthew 6:30 

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

God's care for us is special indeed and his love is greater than all,

His provisions daily come our way whether we are great or small.

God gives us clothes and food for sure as a sign of his constant care,

And His mercies are new each and every day and special beyond compare.(RP)

Margie did not have a good night.  She is still sleeping as I write these lines.  I will awaken her at 7:30.  Today I preach at our church and I always enjoy this.  We are very concerned about our Sunday School teacher's wife, Cindy who remains in ICU at Harborview Hospital in Seattle with a possible brain aneurysm.  Chuck has been by her side and needs our support as well.  Thank you friends for your prayer support.  We appreciate it.  

Kitchen work

Matthew 7:11

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

The lesson is plain for us today, God hears and answers prayer,

Parents take pride in giving good things to their children everywhere.

If they, so imperfect know how to give, what lesson is there for me?

To those who ask God, an answer will come, and this is so easy to see.

The lesson is this for all those who care; ask God for what you need,

And in His will, according to the need, an answer is guaranteed.(RP)

Margie and I will be doing things around here this morning.  I plan to put the final review of my sermon in printed form, and if time allows stuff some green peppers.  That's the ONLY thing I know how to do. It has become my specialty  I guess.  We both had good nights last night.  The day is beautiful and our flowers look bright and fresh in the garden.  The hanging basket is full and colorful.  For the first time in my 82 and a half years, I am taking care of the flowers.  We sincerely thank you for your prayers.

A delightful day

Psalm 147:1 

Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful

Why is it so hard to praise the Lord and thank Him for all He has done,

Is it because we are lazy,and our heart is wrong, and this wonderful thing we shun?

God says praise is pleasant to Him and us, if we would just practice it now,

So why not start and praise the Lord and at His feet humbly bow.(RP)

It was a joy having our family here for part of the 4th.  Rawlie and Monique stayed here and the rest of the family came later for a lite lunch.  In the afternoon they went over to the Harder place and had a meal with more friends there.  We did not join them.  I wanted to spend more time in sermon preparation for Sunday.  We also got an update on Cindy Heath and thankfully tests showed she did not have an aneurysm.  But she will havae to remain in the hospital for 7-14 days.  Thanks to each of you for your faithful prayers.  We appreciate you. 

Happy 4th of July

 John 8:36 

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

The world looks for freedom from so many different things,

And until they know about Jesus they don't know the joy He brings.

When we were lost in sin, and eternal destruction was our lot,

Jesus rescued us from this and our great salvation brought. 

Oh how wonderful to have a Savior who makes us free indeed,

One who constantly watches over us and will gladly for us intercede. (RP)

We trust each is enjoying a wonderful 4th of July.  I am the first up around our household today.  All the rest are sleeping: Margie, Rawlie and Monique.  These lasts two arrived last night and will be here for the 4th of July festivities up at the Vista house, where Gina's folks lived.  Last night there were plenty of fireworks and we are not real sure if that was really allowed.  But we managed to get to sleep with all the noise anyway.  The weather has moderated some and today should only be around 70 degrees.  I am studying for Sunday's message in our church.  I look forward to that.  Our dear friend Cindy Heath yesterday suffered an aneurysm in her brain and was air lifted to Harbor view Hospital in Seattle.  She was stabilized and today will have further tests to determine the extent of the damage.  Chuck is with her.  We are praying much for her.  Thank you also for helping in prayer.  

Studying

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Oh what a command God gives us today, to pray without ceasing my friend,

We know this is right, so let's keep at it always, and on our dear Lord depend.

We thank Him so little; don't do this any more, let's begin to thank Him today,

And in praying and giving thanks to Him we know this is doing it God's way(RP)

We went to town yesterday and got some necessary shopping done in several places and returned home before noon.  We like to do it this way when ordinarily there are fewer people in the shops. I spent the day studying for Sunday when I am scheduled to preach at our home church.  I always look forward to this.  Margie did some baking in preparation for our family that will drop by on the 4th of July for a short visit while they are in town.  The weather has moderated some, but we are still using the evaporation coolers to make things comforatable in the house.  We are very thankful for them.  Thanks, dear friends for your payer support. 

Cooler trend

Hebrews 10:23 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Stand tall for Jesus is our call so stay true to what you believe,

Do not waver on this road, great promises you will receive.

Our hope is in Him, that's why we hold fast,as we walk from day to day,

We will be blessed more than words can tell as we continually do things His way. (RP)

Margie was relieved the weather was better yesterday.  Today is the same with cooler temperatures predicted. I spent most the day going through the Brazil book stories and giving a different emphasis to the Bible verses and references.  Our friend, Helen Steele made this suggestion which is very practical and we appreciate it.   Margie had a good night for which we are thankful.  Thanks for praying. 

Hot

Job 1:1 

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

More men are needed like Job, who are described as those we can admire,

To be blameless and upright is so special and to this all of us should aspire. 

Job feared God and this made him shun evil, what a wonderful and worthy goal,

And because he chose always to please God, his life was made prosperous and whole.(RP)

Normally hot weather without air conditioners, can be a problem.  Long ago we learned that air in motions helps a lot.  Add to this 3 evaporation coolers and things are looking cooler already.  Margie was concerned about sleeping.  I set up two water coolers and two fans in the bedroom, and before too many hours we had the covers back on us.  It was great.  This morning the house is delightful inside because I have box fans in the windows drawing in cool breeze.  The game of keeping the house cool is fun and challenging.  Yesterday we had a great time at church and were thankful we could go. Margie was pretty pensive about her episode (choking, breathless attack) returning, but thankfully it did not happen.  Thanks so much for praying.