Psalm 43:4,5 (NLT)

4 “There I will go to the altar of God,

    to God—the source of all my joy.

I will praise you with my harp,

    O God, my God!

5 Why am I discouraged?

    Why is my heart so sad?

I will put my hope in God!

    I will praise him again—

    my Savior and my God!”

What causes us to praise although there may be great sorrow attached? This is the thing that brings us close to God. His presence of joy consoles us in the place where we have given much to Him. -Teresa

   
    
   

  Psalm 42:1-3 (NLT)

1 As the deer longs for streams of water,

    so I long for you, O God.

2 I thirst for God, the living God.

    When can I go and stand before him?

3 Day and night I have only tears for food,

    while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,

   “Where is this God of yours?”
When we thirst for God, He satisfies with the Holy Spirit like a stream of water satiating our parched soul. But do we truly thirst for Him? Instead, are we satisfied with the stagnant mud puddle of the world’s pleasure? Father, you have shown yourself through Jesus Christ your Son. Once we have experienced eternal life, there is nothing else that will satisfy our thirsty soul like you. We entrust our lives to you, knowing that you love us above all. -Teresa

 The comfort of a fire while camping has so many benefits: protection from mountain lions, warmth from the elements, group camaraderie as everyone gathers and talks to name a few. Just as we have received benefits from being around the “fire” of our soul- the Holy Spirit, we can also share those benefits by praying for those in situations that are hard to endure. We find out how deep God’s love goes: beyond the place where we are exhausted. Those whom we rub shoulders with bring us tremendous encouragement by their love and support. -Teresa

2Corinthians 1:3-11(NLT)

3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,[b] about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”

   
    
 

  South Lake Tahoe last week, Yosemite this week…Michael and I are on a quest to experience more nature! A bit more inspiring than that, we have also tracked Peter’s progress from Rocklin to Emigrant Gap, to S. Lake Tahoe, to Topaz Lake, to Mono Lake, to Yosemite Valley as he rides his cargo bike. Instead of where’s Waldo, we have been asking where’s Peter as he hits the rode with his heavy bike …loaded with rock climbing gear!!

  Psalm 37:16-19 (NLT)

16 “It is better to be godly and have little

    than to be evil and rich.

17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,

    but the Lord takes care of the godly.

18 Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent,

    and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.

19 They will not be disgraced in hard times;

    even in famine they will have more than enough.”

With the drought in Northern California, we are faced with a dilemna of how to keep our lawns alive. Some have turned to alternate landscapes, turf grass, or desert succulants.  Because of the breakdown of the family unit, a spiritual drought has ensued upon our country. Many are chasing after the boastful pride of life-aka to be rich, in order to fill the hunger of their soul. Fearing God by living a godly, innocent life is more fulfilling than gaining strength through evil, wicked schemes. The Lord’s care and inheritance will bring provisions in hard times for those who live righteously. Who has ever experienced a season of suffering and known God’s provision in a very sweet way? He allows us to bloom, even in times of famine when we are satisfied with the small amount of provision that gives more than enough. -Teresa

  Psalm 37:5-7 (NLT)

5 “Commit everything you do to the Lord.

    Trust him, and he will help you.

6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

    and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7 Be still in the presence of the Lord,

    and wait patiently for him to act.

Don’t worry about evil people who prosper

    or fret about their wicked schemes.”

Innocence is radiant, as radiant as the dawn when we trust the Lord and when He declares the justice of our cause. Being still and waiting patiently is not always easy especially if we are naturally a type A personality! However, the Lord’s help goes so much farther than our scurrying efforts. Relax, wait and trust Him- that’s right, replace all the bad scenarios with joyful scenarios as you meditate on His goodness!!- Teresa

  Esther 4:13,14 (NLT)

13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Taking time to speak requires courage and grace. When we are called on to give a report about what is truly happening, we can keep quiet or we can speak the truth with courage and grace. Because Queen Esther reported truth to the king, the Jews living in Persia were spared annihilation. It took humility and divine intervention, but Esther and Mordecai feared God more than they trusted their position in the palace. As for the other man in the palace, Haman- he got the trap his proud heart had contrived for Mordecai. -Teresa