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

  1Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT)

23 “For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.[a] Do this to remember me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”

While we wait for the Lord’s second coming, we have a tradition called communion that helps us remember Him. Whenever we break bread together as believers this is part of the implicit exchange. We are thankful for His sustenance but more than that, we are grateful for His provision that made us right with the Father for all time. His body and His blood are precious because of the abuse He endured for our atonement. God’s covenant (our daughter Berit’s name is based on the Hebrew word for covenant or promise) has provided our redemption (Gail is Berit’s middle name which also comes from the Hebrew – a word for redeemed). God provided a way to redeem our sin and this is His lasting agreement or promise! -Teresa

  Psalm 33: 18-22 (NLT)

18 “But the Lord watches over those who fear him,

    those who rely on his unfailing love.

19 He rescues them from death

    and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20 We put our hope in the Lord.

    He is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,

    for we trust in his holy name.

22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,

    for our hope is in you alone.”

Hope in the Lord means recognizing His love that surrounds us. Trusting his character makes our heart rejoice. When we fear God, we rely on the unfailing love that defines Him. Even during times when death is near or when we are walking in the shadow of the valley of death, He rescues us from the evil of despair that lurks nearby. He provides for us in times of famine and keeps our souls nourished by His unfailing love.- Teresa

  Psalm 33:1-5 (NLT)

1 “Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;

    it is fitting for the pure to praise him.

2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;

    make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing a new song of praise to him;

    play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.

4 For the word of the Lord holds true,

    and we can trust everything he does.

5 He loves whatever is just and good;

    the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”

When we trust the Lord’s work, He reveals the justice and goodness behind His purpose. In the end, we end up praising Him with great joy- even writing new songs to Him. Why? He fills the earth with His unfailing love. He does not just trickle a little bit of love here and there but His love FILLS the earth. It’s really more than we can handle- pressed down and running over, more than we can ask or think!! Try today to bring the praise first, by recognizing His gifts to you, personally and His love will touch your heart. -Teresa

 When my husband sold our boat to one of Peter’s friends, we had no idea that seeing this neglected recreational vehicle become loved again would bring us such joy! Peter’s friend includes him on many fishing expeditions as though the history of the boat allows him an automatic invite. Even so, when the people of Jerusalem came back to rebuild the city wall, they found it was neglected. So much so that Nehemiah was moved to tears. He was sent by the king to rebuild it. In the midst of opposition, Nehemiah discerned who were friends vs. foes by these stipulations: do you have a share, a legal right or a historic claim on this property? If not, you may not build with us since the enemy’s motive was only to bring dissent and discord. Lord, thank you for the life of Nehemiah who solidly took a stand amidst a discouraging task and led wisely. May we also plow through the opposition of our day with your wise discernment.-Teresa

Nehemiah 2:11-20 (NLT)

“So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, 12 I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. 13 After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well,[g] and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. 14 Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. 15 So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley[h] instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.

16 The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. 17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.

They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.

20 I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”