What is lacking in YOUR faith?

If I lived in Paul’s day, what a gift it would be to sit in church knowing that Paul’s team was bringing the very lesson I lacked.

Who today is bringing those very lessons into your life?

That which makes us abound in love for one another and for all people can only come through changed hearts. This is also known as being born again (of the Spirit).

Paul experienced this as he claimed that everything about his life B.C. (before Christ), including his religious status as a Pharisee was of no value compared to “knowing” the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is an ability to know intellectually and more importantly there is knowing, experientially. The experience Paul had (when his entire character changed), happened on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).

No amount of right knowledge (AI) will substitute for right character (true grit).

When Paul continued to have a desire to minister to those who were new in their faith, he demonstrated true grit. (see the passage below)

What person brings life to you? They just may be the one you must also continue ministering to. #buildingfaith

As we minister to one another, never underestimate the importance of bringing life through your faith walk. We may not be an apostle, but the Holy Spirit is still at work today. #changedhearts

As Paul prayed these words, He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is also establishing our hearts blameless in holiness before Him (God the Father)…may we no longer be lacking but full of faith, love and joy. -Teresa

I Thessalonians 3:6-13 (ESV)*

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers,^[f] in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, ¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,¹² and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Nothing speaks better than nature when thinking of the descriptive words in Paul’s passage below.

Who knew that to restore our peace was as simple as being in nature. #Godofpeace

When you learn something, you receive it and then practice it. #havingearstohear

Being at peace with others only happens when you are willing to hear that which is worthy of praise.

Continually thinking on these things brings about the environment necessary for growth.

Turning from darkness to light brings about growth. This is another lesson seen in nature. #photosynthesis

Don’t allow the anxieties of life keep you from thinking about things that are lovely and praiseworthy. -Teresa

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)*

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

We enjoyed this beautiful moon early on today. How can it reflect this much of the sun’s light?

The passage below states that honest work with our own hands brings about the ability to share with others in need. #stealnomore

When the Lord Jesus Christ breaks the chain of our sin nature, it may feel like a struggle. Then, the light of His life shines through us. Our faith must be securely in Christ alone.

When a father disciplines the child he loves, we are reminded it is for their good. Part of that spiritual discipline involves being “dead” to the things that once ruled us. That means we don’t react to them as before. We have a choice.

When our Lord broke the chain (of our family of origin- aka Adam), He also adopted us into a new family. Being part of His heavenly family means that God is also our father.

How does this look? It may be as practical as falling asleep at night remembering “I am united to Christ (not to bitter thinking).” Renewed minds can change our emotions: i. e. kindness, tender hearted, forgiving.

Futile thinking, on the other hand, is doing the same thing over and over with no power over the flesh. It leads to more of the same old thing: bitterness, wrath, anger, slander.

Remember that when Christ is your Savior, His love can change the inner climate of your heart.

How do we forgive others? …remembering how much we have been forgiven. -Teresa #reflectGod’s image #putofftheold #putonthenew

Ephesians 4:17-32 (ESV)*

The New Life

¹⁷ Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. ¹⁹ They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. ²⁰ But that is not the way you learned Christ!— ²¹ assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, ²² to put off your old self,^[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil. ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Read full chapter

*Bible gateway.com

I was walking on these river rocks with my new barefoot shoes (which are supposed to help strengthen my foot muscles for balancing). Then, I realized the rocks were slick because the water was so low.

The slippery slope of religion is not always easy to navigate. Paul’s term for it is “a yoke of slavery”. We will lose our balance trying to navigate man-made rules or religious laws.

In this passage, Paul equates the practice of circumcision (plus all the laws of Judaism) to a yoke of bondage. This kept many of the new believers in Christ from experiencing righteousness through faith alone.

Is there something hindering you from walking by the Spirit or trusting Christ’s righteousness alone?

It may be the success of worldly wisdom, or the pride of following a code of ethics.

Whatever causes you to work hard so that others are proud of you or to do without so that you are proud of yourself may be the very thing holding you captive.

In the end, true freedom comes when we rest in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can set us free from self-condemnation or the need for religious man-made approval.

When Job said he came into the world naked and would return the same way, he reminds us not to trust our earthly status, reputation or wealth. We can, however, trust our Savior (aka Redeemer) who lives eternally. He alone has bought us with His blood. His life was offered up willingly to bring us all to glory.

My Redeemer Lives Nicole C Mullen

Listening to this beautiful recording, I was reminded of our powerful Creator. Lord, please pour your Spirit out. I trust you to keep my foot from slipping. -Teresa #manmade vs. #createdforHisglory

Galatians 5:1-12English Standard Version

Christ Has Set Us Free

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

² Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³ I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified^[a] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. ¹¹ But if I, brothers,^[b] still preach^[c]circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ¹² I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Galatians 5:4 Or counted righteous
2. Galatians 5:11 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 13
3. Galatians 5:11 Greek proclaim

We only used 3 logs for this fire, but the wood was a type of hardwood (maybe a fruit tree of some kind).

When the darkness encroaches, it does not take a “bonfire” to keep it at bay. In fact, the Yosemite forest rangers prefer a low lying fire.

When Christ came, it was during a “kairos” moment of time (not chronos or chronological in meaning- notice our son’s watch in this picture). This means that it was just the right moment in time, for the thoughts and distance of the human heart to know God’s perspective.

This was prophesied by Isaiah. The “root of Jesse” foreshadowed the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, when Jesus gave the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6), he proposed a new way. Not the old covenant of law and order (so to speak), enforced by religious leaders. The old way had involved big buildings and mandatory offerings (in order to be accepted by God and community).

In the Psalm below, David (Jesse’s son), echoed this sentiment of needing a community to belong to. Although he was anointed as king of Israel, Saul as the “sitting” king, continued to pursue him. Would David succumb to fear or faith?

In The BibleHub.com description of Psalm 56 it is stated so well:

“1. Trust in God Over Fear
In Psalm 56, David reminds us that when fear grips our hearts, we should place our trust in God. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3). This is a powerful lesson for our daily lives, encouraging us to lean on God’s strength rather than succumbing to anxiety. Trusting in God transforms our fear into faith, allowing us to face challenges with confidence.”

The world today seems to be in another moment of “time”, different than our ability to measure it chronologically. Perhaps the light that God has put in us should not be hid under a bushel.

The righteous branch that Jesus planted in our lives can be described in emotional terms: love, compassion, peace. All the fruit of the Spirit is reflected when our lives unite with the Savior through the vine.

If something or someone needs to change, Lord, help it be me.

When your community starts with God as your Heavenly Father, then you have nothing to fear. -Teresa #chooselife #trinity

Isaiah 11:1-5 (ESV)

The Righteous Reign of the Branch

11 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
² And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
³ And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
⁴ but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
⁵ Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
    and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Psalm 56English Standard Version

In God I Trust

To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam^[a] of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

56 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
    all day long an attacker oppresses me;
² my enemies trample on me all day long,
    for many attack me proudly.
³ When I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can flesh do to me?

⁵ All day long they injure my cause;^[b]
    all their thoughts are against me for evil.
⁶ They stir up strife, they lurk;
    they watch my steps,
    as they have waited for my life.
⁷ For their crime will they escape?
    In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

⁸ You have kept count of my tossings;^[c]
    put my tears in your bottle.
    Are they not in your book?
⁹ Then my enemies will turn back
    in the day when I call.
    This I know, that^[d] God is for me.
¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise,
¹¹ in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can man do to me?

¹² I must perform my vows to you, O God;
    I will render thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered my soul from death,
    yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 56:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 56:5 Or they twist my words
3. Psalm 56:8 Or wanderings
4. Psalm 56:9 Or because

After enjoying three days in Yosemite, we reflected and remembered how amazing our Creator is.

In the days of my youth, I was focused on the Creator, thanks to the beauty of Wilderness Road! The 40 acres of wild UP pines and birch that my father bought from his mom (after Grandpa Rivers died) became our childhood stomping grounds.

It was the basis for my love of nature, respect for the elements and driving need to always plan ahead. (If you don’t plan and prep for winter, there is no surviving until the snow melt in late spring).

There is wonder and joy in God’s creation. Please enjoy the photos my husband and I captured this past week. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!! -Teresa

Ecclesiastes 12:1 (ESV)

Remember Your Creator in Your Youth

12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

With technology on my side, I can add a “veil” over my face but not to hide God’s glory- only my imperfections!

God is glorious. As “image bearers”, we can be full of the Holy Spirit. It is not accomplished through the law or commandments. It is fulfilled through the truth in our hearts. #love (Christ Jesus made atonement for us with the Father)

Who is the Lord? He is able to break the curse of sin (Adam’s fleshly nature) and bring the Spirit of life into our minds, making all things new. #truth

When you read Romans 12:1&2, Paul puts all his theological understanding into a vivid example of how both Jew and Gentile can find peace with God and each other.

If we view our lives as a wine skin and our spirit as the wine within, only new wine skins can reflect a new Spirit, (aka the Holy Spirit can transform my life).

Do you desire to be made new? Read the following passages below and ask God the Father to reveal Himself to you today. -Teresa #unveiled faces #ultimate facelift

Matthew 9:16-17 (ESV)

[16] No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. [17] Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

A Living Sacrifice

[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (ESV)

¹² Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,¹³ not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.¹⁴ But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. ¹⁶ But when one^[c] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.¹⁷ Now the Lord^[d] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,^[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.^[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 2 Corinthians 3:2 Some manuscripts your
2. 2 Corinthians 3:3 Greek fleshly hearts
3. 2 Corinthians 3:16 Greek he
4. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Or this Lord
5. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflecting the glory of the Lord
6. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Greek from glory to glory

English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

As the children (who were still living at home), we posed for this picture. I was a young adult and commuting to the local university and working in town.

Our parents allowed me to use the car once per week to pick up my friends (for a car pool), where we spent full days at Northern~3 x per week.

Of course, parents are a type of stronghold as their children grow and spread their wings. We have experienced that with all four of ours.

There comes a time when we experience the Lord as our stronghold. He shelters and protects us in a way that our parents cannot.

Like David, who wrote this Psalm, we can practice verse 4.

Psalm 37:4[ESV] Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Truly, our delight in God’s ways means having a relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is only possible through His Son and our Savior. The Lord Jesus Christ came through the line of King David. He was the One who made it possible to heal our ancestral wounds (whether wickedness or ruthlessness).

Taking refuge in God means trusting His way for salvation. He makes all things new.

It seems like foolishness and weakness to the world system, but in God’s economy it stands strong forevermore.

At Star Camp (aka Vacation Bible School) last week, we discussed the Revelation 21 vision of Heaven as recorded by the Apostle John.

Each of the children painted a picture on their easel afterward. My rendition of the passage focused on the colors and light described. (I asked AI for an image of each gemstone named in the foundation).

During the story time, I made this statement: “I believe the precious stones and gold in Heaven represent all the lives of the people there. It’s beautiful because the light of God is shining through us.” -Teresa (See Pic 👇)

Psalm 37: 34-40 (ESV)

³⁴ Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
    and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
    you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

³⁵ I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
    spreading himself like a green laurel tree.^[a]
36 But he passed away,^[b] and behold, he was no more;
    though I sought him, he could not be found.

³⁷ Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
    for there is a future for the man of peace.
³⁸ But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
    the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

³⁹ The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
    he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
⁴⁰ The Lord helps them and delivers them;
    he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
    because they take refuge in him.Read full chapter

1 Corinthians 1:21-25 (ESV)

[21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, [23] but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Revelation 21:22-24 (ESV)

[22] And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. [23] And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. [24] By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

*photo credit-Calvary Baptist Church directory

You may think that standing (in your mind) is enough to keep you from falling. Think again!

When I take heed to my position, (recognizing that I am not as steady as I may think), then any needed adjustments can be made.

For example, hiking from our campsite earlier this month meant I would need to adjust my rate of return. It was steep enough for me to have to push on my quads to keep them climbing at such an angle. By the end of our stay, my stance was much stronger.

Just because I was able to conquer physical challenges in my young adult days, does not mean I am still able to.

In terms of the temptation of idolatry, Paul was admonishing the Corinthian church to avoid “thinking” they were able to stand strong.

Instead, even “knowing” the way of escape was provided for them by God’s faithfulness was not enough…they still had to keep taking it. (Jesus is the way, the truth and the life).

In our Christian walk, we may start strong but the years of familiarity can wear us down or the weight of more responsibility.

Are we alert to the possibility of falling? Are we watching for the way of escape to help us endure?

Idolatry can take on many forms: addiction, compromise, forgetting who God is or just plain boredom.

Jesus saved us initially from the bondage of our sin nature. He continues to save us from the temptation to think we can now save ourselves. Becoming complacent is more than inactivity, it is the temptation to stop seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.

When the Lord is our shepherd, He guides in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. -Teresa

#highaltitude #wayofescape

I Corinthians 10:12,13 (ESV)

¹² Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Have you ever stopped to consider that the struggle you feel now may later help you make the right decision?

We don’t always value what is best for our “future” life. In fact, there are times when some distraction “freezes” us from getting out from the hot sun (like this baby lizard). Eventually, we develop the tough skin and tender heart we will need down the road of life.

Starting school does not seem easy, but when we graduate it seems best.

Starting a job may not feel comfortable, but gaining experiences may bring expertise later, when we have to lead others.

Even David said he would sing thanks forever because God turned his mourning and weeping into joy. (Passage below)

How many times have you taken a small step of faith and later realize that it turned into a mountain moved, for God’s glorious outcome?

We may not always recognize it until years later, but having a 20/20 “hindsight” view can help reformat our thinking.

Rather than relive difficult people or experiences, I challenge you to transform your thinking into mountains moved for God’s glory.

I actually journaled a comparison of years suffered to lessons learned and was amazed at God’s economy. He does not give a year of discomfort for a year of joy.

He gives more like a 100:1 yield. His joy is eternal, His intentions are more than we can ask or imagine! -Teresa #stay tender hearted #endure the heat

Psalm 30English Standard Version*

Joy Comes with the Morning

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

30 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
² O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
³ O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.^[a]

⁴ Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.^[b]
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.^[c]
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

⁶ As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”
⁷ By your favor, O Lord,
    you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
    I was dismayed.

⁸ To you, O Lord, I cry,
    and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
⁹ “What profit is there in my death,^[d]
    if I go down to the pit?^[e]
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it tell of your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
    O Lord, be my helper!”

¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
¹² that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Psalm 30:3 Or to life, that I should not go down to the pit
2. Psalm 30:4 Hebrew to the memorial of his holiness (see Exodus 3:15)
3. Psalm 30:5 Or and in his favor is life
4. Psalm 30:9 Hebrew in my blood
5. Psalm 30:9 Or to corruption

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.