Swirling around

4:13 p.m. Today's project was to prepare our house for a birthday party/fellowship gathering for our friend Michelle. We took advantage of the Saturday to sleep in until 8 a.m., because I'm sure we'll have a late night after the her crew is finished cleaning up! Third service could haven been an option, but my dad is coming over for a Father's Day barbecue, and I still need to pick up more frozen burger patties and fresh corn on our way home. And Daddy is known to arrive early, bless his heart! He'll love the vintage airplane photo posters I bought him. I believe some of them are from the 1930's. I bought Steve a set of multi-colored pens he can use for journalling, figuring that Father's Day gifts should mainly come to dads from their kids, right?

The enemy has been causing division in situations I had no information about, or responsibility for, as well as "oughts" dredged up from 2 decades ago! Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 18:15-17 that if someone has "ought" against you, go to them. And that is what I do if I know they have it! Blindsided attacks and backbiting "slams" certainly don't match up with Jesus' command. But since forgiveness is always in order, that's the road the Lord has led me to. There are far too many blessings to be enjoyed unhindered, such as the growing and thriving Bible study He has given me; lovely vegetables from the garden and the privilege of invigorating labor that God uses to produce it; giving to the Lord of our time and resources; a decades-long Christ-centered marriage, with the love still strong despite Steve's Alzheimers; godly, faithful friends; healthy children and grandchildren and an ever-expanding group of in-laws! God has blessed in so many ways that holding a grudge just won't do: as Paul did, "I press forward!" (Philippians 3:12)

Another area of attack has been in our finances; we are all feeling the effects of this currently mismanaged economy. Steven needs more training clients at his gymin Fresno, so he can quit the steak restaurant where he has to work Sundays; Kriss and Marisela are both seeking better-paying employment and coping with one car for two commuters! Praise the Lord, though, for our other three kids who are making it in their circumstances with relative stability! As parents, we try to send a little something if we can, but some doors are closing as we are move into a "new normal" of fixed income only! That's fine, because the Lord will go before us into any valley, and bring deliverance in the way He best sees fit! May we remain faithful, and trusting, making our stand on the Rock!

God's people Israel had been neither faithful nor trusting, and as a result had been driven into captivity. Do we need to confess that we have been captive to sins and the lust for material things? How we need our Savior and Deliverer, Jesus Christ the righteous! Just as the Jews returned to their land, let us turn our hearts back to the Lord!

Isaiah 62:11 gives reassurance to God's people: "The LORD has sent this message to every land: "Tell the people of Israel, 'Look, your Savior is coming. See, He brings His reward with Him as He comes.' " (NLT)

And to His people today, Jesus says, in Revelation 22:20, " 'Surely I come quickly.' "

Even so, come Lord Jesus!