Category Archives: Jesus

Truth for Today #206

Friday November 6th

On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.

Malachi 3:16-18

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared and LORD and esteemed his name. They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then once more shall you see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

From Vera:

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

From Karen:

Psalm 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Maui Day 8 ~ Lu’au

Maui 2026 Finale Travel Journal Post

Since many of the twelve of us had never had a Luau experience Dan made reservations for the Wailele Lu’au held at the Westin Resort. Our two vehicles were filled up for the short drive to the Westin Resort just south of our resort. We waited in line until the venue was ready for us. We were greeted with a beautiful lei greeting and a drink as we were ushered to our seats.

This is the description that the resort gives:

“The island’s most extreme fire knife dance finale” – Staged outdoors amidst a scenic oceanside setting alongside the shores of Ka‘anapali Beach, at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa’s Aloha Pavilion. A spectacular setting to immerse yourself in a pure, Hawaiian experience. Discover the legend of the mischievous demigod Mauiakalana, said to have revealed the secret of fire-making. Wailele Lu‘au takes you on a journey through a time when written language did not exist, the ‘oli (chant) and hula (dance) was a means of preserving the rich fabric of cultural knowledge, keeping our Hawaiian heritage, myths and genealogies alive.”

Before the dinner service and show began we managed to get a family photo by the photographer at the resort. This will probably be our Christmas card and letter photo this year. So if you’ve seen it here before our Christmas greeting reaches you…act surprised.

Since there were 12 of us we were at two tables next to each other.

We enjoyed the views of the sun setting. It was a show within a show. Something we didn’t have to pay for.

Birthdays and Anniversaries were honored, so our two 40 year olds stood up. Katie and Jamie were born about 19 days apart.

The Lu’au included an all you can eat dinner buffet and dessert offerings along with a generous offering of drinks.

It was an entertaining show. On the way out of the resort we had a few more photo ops.

Our sweet Lei Princess!

And that was the end of our last full day in Maui.

On Friday morning the 9th of October we were all packing up to get ready for our drive to the airport and flights home. I was on the deck taking in the morning view one last time when I looked over to our next door families deck and saw Addy’s decorations.

 

Thank you, LORD, for allowing us the privilege of this family vacation enjoying each other and your beautiful creation of the Island of Maui framed by the mighty Pacific Ocean and the sky above that proclaims your handiwork. We are forever grateful to You for your love and mercy and grace poured out abundantly on us.

Aloha and Mahalo Maui!

 

Maui Day 8 ~Baptisms

On Thursday October 8th we all gathered on the beach to witness the baptisms of Jamie and Jaymison.

Dan read the words he prepared, “Today we are gathered here with our families who we love dearly so that Jamie and Jaymison can display publicly their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that they have dedicated themselves to Him and have asked for the forgiveness for their sins and they proclaim through faith in Jesus Christ alone by His death and resurrection and by His blood that was shed on the cross for them that they are saved. Not by their own works but by the grace of God alone.”

Dan read Acts 2:38-39;

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Jamie- Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He is your Lord and Savior? She replied, Yes! Jamie, with your public confession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Jaymison- Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He is your Lord and Savior? He replied, Yes. Jaymison, with your public confession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Buried with Christ in His death and raised to new life in Him through His resurrection!

What a wonderful day for Jamie and Jaymison and our whole family. This makes our Maui trip all the more special. We praise the Lord for this day and for the day He called each one of them to Himself!

Proud of our son for leading his family well.

The rest of the day was a time to relax until our last Maui experience, a Luau. That will most likely be my last travel journal post from our time in Maui.

Mahalo and thank you for your visits and lovely comments.

May Faith Has Found A Resting Place ~ Hymn

My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

My great physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Words: Eliza Hewitt

Truth for Today #205

Friday October 30th

On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

From Willow:

Psalm 8:1.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

From Vera:

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

Maui Day 8 Breakfast+

Day 8 in Maui had a very special event that was not typical and a few typical events. I’ll cover these in at least 3 posts.

First was breakfast at the Plantation House with just these six.

I copied this description from the website for Plantation House…

Located in the Kapalua Resort, the Plantation House offers the perfect blend of casual elegance and Hawaiian hospitality. With breathtaking views overlooking the ocean and fairways of the famous Plantation Golf Course, this picturesque island setting is a favorite for both locals and visitors.

These were over the top!

While at breakfast there was a quick rain shower and Laura captured the rainbow. The views were exceptional.

We made it back to the resort mid morning and Laura and Jamie went on a scouting mission to find a good spot for family photos. We all got our photo wardrobes in order and braved quite a significant wind event while trying to get some good shots!

You can see how the wind was blowing by looking at the palm trees in the background.

First things first…why Maui and why did 12 of us travel together?

Initially the decision was made because these two, Katie and Jamie (above) turned 40 and chose Maui for their celebration.

As the year dragged on we added more reasons to celebrate like a 25th wedding anniversary (Josh and Laura), a 15th wedding anniversary (Andrew and Katie), a 75th birthday (Me) and an 85th birthday (Granny Great). Granny Great, Granny, Andrew, Addy and JJ had never been to Hawaii.

Generations of women in Jamie’s family and the men in our family.

We thank God for his mercy, love, and grace to our family. He has saved us through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ our Lord who sacrificed himself in obedience to God the Father on the Cross. He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins and in faith we have been transferred into His kingdom and are covered in His righteousness, not our own. What an amazing gift!

That is a gift we celebrate everyday…

Mahalo for following along on our Great Maui Adventures. Only a couple more posts till my travel journal is complete.

Sometimes a Light Surprises ~ Hymn

Sometimes a Light Surprises

Sometimes a light sur­pris­es
The Christ­ian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who ris­es
With heal­ing in His wings:
When com­forts are de­clin­ing,
He grants the soul again
A sea­son of clear shin­ing,
To cheer it af­ter rain.

In ho­ly con­tem­pla­tion
We sweet­ly then pur­sue
The theme of God’s sal­va­tion,
And find it ev­er new.
Set free from pre­sent sor­row,
We cheer­ful­ly can say,
Let the un­known to­mor­row
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it no­thing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lil­ies cloth­ing
Will clothe His peo­ple, too;
Beneath the spread­ing hea­vens,
No crea­ture but is fed;
And He who feeds the rav­ens
Will give His child­ren bread.

Though vine nor fig tree nei­ther
Their wont­ed fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wi­ther,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same ab­id­ing,
His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him con­fid­ing,
I can­not but re­joice.

Words: William Cowper, 1779.

Truth for Today #204

Friday October 23rd

On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as we see the Day drawing near.

From Vera:

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭130‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”

From Leonard:

Jeremiah 31:3-4

“I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful”

Father of Omnipresent Grace!

Father of Omnipresent Grace!

Father of om­ni­pre­sent grace!
We seem agreed to seek Thy face;
But ev­ery soul as­sem­bled here
Doth nak­ed in Thy sight ap­pear:
Thou know’st who on­ly bows the knee,
And who in heart ap­proach­es Thee.

Thy Spir­it hath the dif­fer­ence made
Betwixt the liv­ing and the dead;
Thou now dost into some in­spire
The pure, be­ne­vo­lent de­sire:
O that e’en now Thy pow­er­ful call
May quick­en and con­vert us all.

The sin­ners sud­den­ly con­vince,
O’erwhelmed be­neath their load of sins;
Today, while it is called to­day,
Awake, and stir them up to pray,
Their dire cap­tiv­ity to own,
And from the ir­on fur­nace groan.

Then, then, ac­know­ledge, and set free
The peo­ple bought, O Lord, by Thee!
The sheep for whom their Shep­herd bled,
For whom we in Thy Spir­it plead:
Let all in Thee re­demp­tion find,
And not a soul be left be­hind.

Words: Charles Wesley, 1767.

Truth for Today #203

Friday October 16th

On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.

Hebrews 7:26-28

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

From Leonard:

Psalm 29:11

“The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

From Vera:

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!”

From Nikkipolani:

Isaiah 35:4

Say to those with anxious heart,
“Take courage, fear not.
Behold, your God will come with vengeance;
The retribution of God will come,
But He will save you.”