Truth for Today #110

Thursday July 25th

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during 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 dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

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

Ezekiel 14:1-5

Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Anyone of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the LORD GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn your faces from all your abominations.

A quote to go along with this passage from Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands:

“Idolatry is the silent cancer that weakens the church, robs individuals of their spiritual vitality and leads to all kinds of difficulty in relationships and situations.”

From Vera:

“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭28‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Dianna:

Romans 12:16 “by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind.”

From Leonard:

Psalm 60:12

“With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.”

From Karen:

John 1:5

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Olympic Sized Hodgepodge

Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, The Gateway of Dreams statue. Greg had a conference in Atlanta and Katie and Andrew flew down from Jacksonville, North Carolina to join us for a couple days. This was in October of 2012.

Another summertime Wednesday Hodgepodge is up and running. Thank you, Joyce!

1. The Olympics kick off this coming weekend. Will you be watching? If you could watch just one event in person, which one would you choose?

I will watch some of the Olympics depending on the timing of favorite events.

Gymnastics is always a favorite.

Greg was a torch bearer for his company in the 1984 Olympics that took place in Los Angeles. As a family we were able to watch rowing events at Lake Casitas close to our home. We lived in Ventura, California during the 84 Summer Olympics.

2. Have you ever been to Paris? Is this a city you’d like to visit? What’s your favorite ‘French thing’?

I am not pulled with the desire to travel to Paris. French food is probably my favorite ‘French thing’.

3. Macaron, creme brulee, chocolate soufle, mille feuille, or an eclair…your favorite French patisserie from the ones listed?

Our son has mastered the art of making macarons. We’ve enjoyed many flavors of his melt in your mouth treat. Above are some of the macarons he made for Addy’s Birthday Tea Party and below are the ones he made for our family gathering to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Our actual 50th is on December 6th of this year but we chose to enjoy summer weather for our big celebration.

4. July 24th is National Cousins Day…do you have many cousins? Are you close to them? Will you see any of your cousins on July 24th?

I have cousins that I love and enjoy visiting with when we can. Lately it’s mostly at funerals that I might see them.

Our kids get together with many of their cousins at least twice a year. Their cousins from California came up for a visit so all our kids gathered in Leavenworth, Washington on July 16th for a quick visit.

Josh, Laura and Katie had several days of enjoying their cousins in the Seattle area last week. Josh and Laura made a quick trip to California over the weekend to spend time with more of their cousins and some aunts and uncles!

Cousins with an aunt and uncle thrown in! Huntington Beach, California this past weekend.

5. Last time you went somewhere that felt like ‘everyone and his cousin‘ was there?

Lately this will only happen when we travel. The last large crowd event we were in the midst of was in Liverpool at the Anfield stadium for a football/soccer match in September of 2023. Everyone and his cousin was there!

Even though it’s been several years since we visited London, that city is a sea of humanity that you cannot separate yourself from easily.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

One more cousin shot from Huntington Beach. My brother and his family were visiting from Dallas which was a very good reason for many family members to come together. Josh and Laura flew down from Washington to join in the fun.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

In other news, things have cooled a wee bit and later this week they are promising the 80’s instead of 90’s!

See you soon Hodgepodgers!

Goodbye Walla Walla~ Hello Country Roads

Tuesday July 2nd was pack up and drive home day. No formal breakfast at the airbnb but one last swim was in order!

It was an amazing trip and time together.

Goodbye Walla Walla.

We decided on a different route home north on highway 12 to 127 and then onto 195 to Spokane and then on 395 all the way home.

Our Colville kids took a different route home and stopped at Palouse Falls.

After the Palouse this was the scene in the rear view window for these tired out Grands.

Coming and going it was a wonderful family time being together and seeing sites we’ve never seen before.

Back to the present. It is hot, real hot. On Sunday we got up to 105 and today will be another blistering day before we start a gradual cool down. We are laying low and only outside in the early hours. Hope you are keeping cool in your neck of the woods.

All the Way My Savior Leads Me ~ Hymn

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

Words: Fanny Crosby

Mountain View Cemetery

While we were waiting for family to arrive at our airbnb in Walla Walla we took a drive around the city and came across this cemetery. We drove slowly and quietly through it and here are the photos I took. This was on Saturday the 29th of June.

In memory of the departed firemen of Walla Walla.

These are the ones that caught my eye. We didn’t get out of the car because of the heat.

Speaking of heat, we are under a heat advisory. We’ve had some dry thunderstorms with lightning which doesn’t bode well for fires. Our manufactured home came with a fan system to draw out the warm air. Most of our mornings start out nice and cool and we are able to open windows, turn on the fans and cool the house down to about 68 degrees. That means the house keeps cool until later in the afternoon and our cooling system doesn’t have to run all day long. On Thursday morning the outside air was above the 72 degrees we keep our cooling temp at so we couldn’t do our usual cool down routine.

In other news, this is the current book we are reading for a class we are taking at our church.

It is an excellent book. I’ll share this paragraph at the end of Chapter 2;

“A Life Worth Living

The central work of God’s kingdom is change. God accomplishes this work as the Holy Spirit empowers people to bring his Word to others. We bring more than solutions, strategies, principles, and commands. We bring the greatest story ever told, the story of the Redeemer. Our goal is to help one another live with a “God’s story” mentality. Our mission is to teach, admonish, and encourage one another to rest in his sovereignty, rather than establishing our own; to rely on his grace rather than performing on our own; and to submit to his glory rather than seeking our own. This is the work of the kingdom of God: people in the hands of the Redeemer, daily functioning as his tools of lasting change.”

Truth for Today #109

Thursday July 18th

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

1 John 5:1-5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

From Vera:

““There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Ann:

From Luke 16:

⁹“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. ¹⁰He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. ¹¹Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? ¹²And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

From Cheryl:

Isaiah 30:21 is an encouragement to me as we continue to make decisions regarding elder care.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Just Peachy Hodgepodge

A peachy sunrise on the last Saturday in June in Richland, Washington.

Joyce has some summertime Hodgepodge questions for us this week. Are you playing?

1. What is an adult problem nobody prepared you for?

Growing old and all the things that come with that like; balance issues, getting up off the floor, bruising, hot flashes. I could have just gone with hot flashes…

2. Without mentioning any tech, what’s your most prized possession?

One thing? Can I say my home even though there are a lot of techy things in it? Not the actual structure but the idea of my own place where I can relax and be safe and enjoy. Also a place where I can invite people in for relationship and community.

3. It’s National Peach Ice Cream Day (July 17th). Will you be celebrating?

I could make it happen since Wednesday is Farmer’s Market in town and they might have fresh peaches.

Do you like peaches?

Yes I do but nectarines are my favorite summer fruit.

Given a choice would you prefer peach ice cream, peach pie, peach cobbler, or just hand me a peach?

Fresh Peach Pie. Way back when I enjoyed a scoop of peach ice cream in the center of half a cantaloupe, delicious!

Do you own anything that is peach in color?

Do our day lilies count?

4. What makes a friendship successful?

Forgiveness. The ability to say…”I was wrong, will you forgive me?”

5. Let’s give our brains a rest and do a little summertime this or that…

beach or pool? In my older age and avoidance of sun exposure I’m going with pool. You’ll find me under the umbrella or close to the pool in whatever shade is available.

ice cream or snowcone? A snowcone is fun or a slurpy which is kind of like a snowcone.

amusement park or camping? The quiet of camping sounds better to me if someone else has totally set up the camping area. I could come visit for the afternoon and then go home to my own bed.

burger or hot dog? We had the best lamb burger last night. We bought the meat from a local rancher. A good Chicago Dog is always a treat, too.

watermelon or strawberries? I’ll save strawberries for Spring and say a good sweet watermelon.

get up early or sleep in late? Get up early while it is still cool and enjoy a cup of coffee with the birds singing.

sunrise or sunset? In these parts sunset comes late in the summer and we are sometimes in bed before sunset so it’s sunrise for me!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Catching up with some summertime swim lesson photos at the local pool.

Someone was brave enough to jump off the diving board in the deep pool!

Thanks for stopping by Hodgepodgers and others, too. Hope your summer is going swimmingly.

Monday in Walla Walla

Our last full day together in Walla Walla started off with cuddles on the couch with the Grands before breakfast. Our breakfast was served up by Josh and Laura, Joshua’s now famous Huevos Rancheros. Morning swim time before we all headed downtown for our meal out at the Indian restaurant. After our lunch we all bought treats at Bright’s, fudge, caramel apples, ice cream cones, lollipops and other delights. Back to our airbnb for a nap before we had more swim time and a delicious burger meal created and served up by Katie and Andrew. Some Frisbee time was thrown in there somewhere, too, and jigsaw puzzle time here and there. There was one more surprise before bedtime.

This photo was of our movie night on Sunday evening, not Monday but this is where all the morning cuddling happened, too.

Earlier in the weekend Katie and I got the frame of the puzzle done and others contributed here and there to completing it.

Walking to Main Street for our Indian Restaurant meal.

Someone almost fell asleep waiting for his lunch. Swimming really takes it out of you. After lunch we shopped for some souvenirs from Walla Walla before having our treats at Bright’s.

Time to leave Main street behind and head back to the house.

There was another kind of ‘pool time’, too.

Finishing the jigsaw puzzle.

The ‘littles’ weren’t the only ones who had a nap.

Before it was time for bed we had another surprise. Many months before our gathering we gave Josh and Laura an old movie reel of our church wedding shower from November of 1974. They were able to send it out to digitize it and we all watched it together by casting it on the TV. My brother-in-law recorded the movie. It was silent and poor in quality but rich in memories. Both my maternal and paternal grandmother were in it, my parents and Greg’s parents and many other friends and family who have since gone to heaven. Such a sweet finale to our family gathering to celebrate our 50th year.

One more post to come on our travels home on Tuesday and any bits and bobs I might have forgotten.

Happy Tuesday to you. Our temperatures are still soaring close to and above 100. Our hot water tank got replaced on Saturday with the help of our son. We are keeping things low key and doing inside or early morning projects around the house. Hope all is well in your corner.

The Weekend

I was going to finish up my posts about our days in Walla Walla celebrating with our family but I didn’t want to couple those good memories with what happened this past weekend. I’ll finish up my posts later.

From small town USA to major cities and the world we were shocked and stunned by the Assassination attempt on former President Trump on Saturday July 13th. You never know what a day will bring. I happened to turn the TV on just as it was happening and it took me a while to understand the scope of it all. Our Colville kids arrived just a few minutes later and we all stared in disbelief.

Uncontrolled hatred has spawned evil and it is an ugly thing to watch.

We are praying for our nation. We are praying for Trump and his family. We are praying for the family of the young man who was killed in the line of fire. We are praying for the present leaders of our country.

¹⁹We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

²⁰And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Timely quote from this book we are reading, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, People in Need of Change-Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp;
~
“From the rise and fall of governments to tomorrow’s weather to the exact location of every human being, the universe is under God’s control. He has the power and authority to do exactly what pleases him, anywhere he chooses to do it. God’s sovereignty is not only about power and position, but also a plan. Scripture clearly teaches that God has a plan for his world and the people in it. God is calling people to himself, forming them into his likeness, and preparing them for an eternity with him. This is his overreaching plan of the ages, revealed in history, present in current events and in the lives of everyone who has ever lived. At any moment in time, the right answer to the question, “What is God doing?” is , “Accomplishing his plan.”

We love our country and the freedoms we enjoy but…

Our trust is in the LORD and we wait on Him to see what our future holds.

The Red Sea Place

The Red Sea Place

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,
Where in spite of all you can do,
There is no way out, there is no way back,
There is no other way but through?
Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene
Till the night of your fear is gone;
He will send the wind, He will heap the floods,
When He says to your soul, “Go on.”

And His hand will lead you through–clear through–
Ere the watery walls roll down,
No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,
No mightiest sea can drown;
The tossing billows may rear their crests,
Their foam at your feet may break,
But over their bed you shall walk dry shod
In the path that your Lord will make.

In the morning watch, ‘neath the lifted cloud
You shall see but the Lord alone,
When He leads you on from the place of the sea
To a land that you have not known;
And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed
You shall be no more afraid;
You shall sing His praise in a better place,
A place that His hand has made.

Annie Johnson Flint, 1866-1932
Christian Poet

Isaiah 43: 1-3 ~ …”Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”…

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage