Psalm 118

The weather today was incredible.  Warm with a slight breeze... sunny with a few white clouds blowing through...

It reminded me of the verse I read in the morning --

Psalm 118:24  This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

With a day I like, I felt drawn to go outdoors. But I never made it out.

I wanted to go for a short run just so that my legs can loosen up in light of Saturday.

I tried to pursued Abby to go for a bike ride.

I thought maybe I'd just ride out on my scooter to run a few errands.

But none of those things happened.

In the afternoon, Alan came home.  So, I thought I'd go out while he stayed with Abby.  He had his special Thanksgiving Luncheon at Soochow University. This year they had four turkeys. So, he brought back four sets of turkey bones.  I got busy getting two sets of bones in a huge pot to make turkey soup.  Two I put in the freezer. That will be for Christmas Eve turkey soup. I never got to go out.

But all day, I was reminded -- this is the day the Lord has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it.



Seek Him First!

Tired Out Legs

Today, I went for a longer run.

The weather was great and I needed to see if my legs would 'work'.  Why you might ask?

Well... in my moment of insanity, I signed up for another marathon.  I don't usually sign up for a race. Why pay to be tortured?  I run to pray. I don't run for a PR.  You can't have a PR if you're not running but one of each. I ran one half. I ran one full. And I ran one ultra (unfortunately, I did not sign up for that one, so there is no record of my time. I do regret that.)

I didn't receive anything, so I thought maybe they cancelled the race. BUT, I received the package yesterday.  And I am registered.

So, today, I ran a half -- 21 kilometers. These verses were very dear to me while I was running --

Heb. 12:12 (my birthday) --
Therefore, [a]strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,

Isaiah 35:3 -- 


My legs felt quite tired. I'm not sure how I'm going to run 42 kilometers!

Besides the above two verses, what I will also need for Saturday will be Isaiah 40:31 --


Seek Him First!

Colossians 3

Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord...

I am presently preparing a message based on Colossians 3. What an amazing chapter!

I noticed many contrasts that are used not to mention the exhortations given in living a life worthy of our calling in Christ.  I also love how Paul says that we are chosen of God, beloved and holy!

As I pondered these things throughout today, I felt such a closeness with God.  He reminded me of better ways of doing things. For example, I found a fabric store that was closer to my house, so I didn't have to ride all the way towards downtown Taipei.  (I still hope to go down to the textile district as I love 'window shopping' for fabric.)  Then the lady at the fabric store gave me a velcro strip and instead of taking it to this one particular shop to get it sewn on to my running belt, He led me to a shop that was right near my house.  These are just two examples as there were so many other similar things that happened today.

So, I sit here, praising Him for He is worthy.  I am reminded that in all that I do each day, I am to do it for the Lord.  That's the best way to live. I have an audience of ONE.  There is so much more to say about Col. 3, but I close with this quote from Corrie Ten Boom --


Seek Him First!

Word of God Is Living

As I think about our family verse, this phrase, word of God is living, also jumps out at me.

I find this to be so true in my life.

I can read the Bible over and over again, and each time, it seems to touch my life in different ways.

God's word transforms and convicts.

God's word sheds light and encouragement.

God's word comforts and speaks to my situations.

God's word is not just words on paper, but it seems to be the very essence of my life.

I grow to see God and His love for me more each time I read the Bible.

It's just amazing!


Seek Him First!

Two-edged Sword

I wrote yesterday that our family verse for this year is Heb. 4:12 --

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

And since starting this year, I'm going to use my daily blog to highlight what the Lord has been teaching me. So, I think it would be great to start with this verse.

Two-edged sword -- now, I am not an expert on sword fight, even though I did take fencing while I was in Germany.  (And how I enjoyed learning to fence while in Germany, but I have never used a double-edged sword. We used only foils.)

Unlike a foil, a two-edged sword can cut both ways. And the word of God is referenced as the sword of the Spirit --

Eph. 6:17 says, 

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

Here is another reference to the two-edged sword from Rev. 1:16 -- 

In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. 

And by the verse, God's word is living, active and sharper than a two-edged sword.  It can cut through what no sword can ever do.  Not only can it cut, it can judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.    

No wonder when Peter shared his first message, it says in Acts 2:37, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 

That's amazing.  God's word indeed is living and active and SHARPER than a two-edged sword!

Seek Him First!

Family Verse for 2015

Each year in November Alan and I sit down to look back and to look forward.

We try to get our kids involved in our family goals. And four years ago we started to have a yearly verse of focus.

We ask each person to contribute a verse or two. We read them out loud and then we vote.

This year, the winner is... HEBREWS 4:12


Seek Him First!

As The World Turns

News Release --

Isaiah got 5th place for "individual doubles".

His school team got 3rd place so they will be going down to the 'national competition' next April.

Next week the competition will continue with soft tennis tournament.

And the coach has probably decided that they will join another four day competition down in Kaohsuing at the end of November, which means Isaiah might not be home with us to celebrate his 16th birthday!

Finally, my sister has had it with my mom. So, I am working on bringing my mom and step dad over.  It would have been better if we were only bringing over my mom. That's what we thought we'd do when my step dad, George, passes away. But since that doesn't seem to be happening in the near future, I think it is best to bring them both over.  Annie will get the doctor's approval for him to fly. If we get that, then I'll be buying the plane tickets as well as arranging 101 other things.

I think that's enough news in this episode of "As the World Turns"...

I just keep trusting that God will bring me through... one step at a time, one day at a time.


Seek Him First.