two large cranes lift a white cross to the steeple of a historic white church. Psalm 122:1 NLT Let us go to the house of the Lord.

Adding a Cross

Tumalo Community Church, Tumalo, OR Psalm 122:1 NLT “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Founded in 1904, the town of Tumalo, OR was first called Laidlaw by self-professed founder, A.W. Laidlaw. The industrious citizens began the first church in 1905 with a church building being dedicated in 1907. Unfortunately, Mr. Laidlaw was…

John 16:33 NIV I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. tall pine trees at an overlook to the three sisters mountain with deep blue sky and wispy white clouds

Sold Down River

Whychus Creek Overlook, Sisters, OR John 16:33 NIV I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. “Being sold down the river,” is a term coined during a dark time in American history, and literally…

Gray stone on green leaf background. The stone reads Build Up Don't tear down 1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version Therefore encourage one another and build each other up

Build Each Other Up!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. Many years ago, when my son was in middle school, he had a rock painting art project. While it probably wasn’t exactly what the art teacher envisioned, I love it! He wrote, “Build Up! Don’t tear down.”  There is so much wisdom packed…

bowl of bright red strawberries Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Berry Picking

My Garden, OR Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! My grandma was a stickler for finding every last ripe berry. As a kid, picking berries was pure never-ending misery….

Philippians 4:4 New International Version Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! woman jumping happily in the ocean with the sunshining

Rejoice at the Ocean

Heceta Beach, OR Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Sometimes when the world seems to be dishing out more than your plate can hold, it’s hard to remember to feel joy, let alone Rejoice!  But we need to remember what exactly it is we are rejoicing. I’m…

aerial view of the Columbia River with clouds Ecclesiastes 3:11 Good News Translation He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.

Do I Know You?

Columbia River from Above Ecclesiastes 3:11 GNT He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. My husband and I often try to compare notes about when and where we were before we knew…

green mountain cliffs meet beach and ocean waves crashing Psalm 46:1-3 NCV God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea.

It is Well

Heceta Beach, OR Psalm 46:1-3 NCV God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes,  or the mountains fall into the sea, even if the oceans roar and foam,  or the mountains shake at the raging sea. Last night…

Three snow capped mountains covered with snow with pink sunrise in background with pine trees and storm clouds in the foreground And it came to pass 463 verses in the KJV Storms are going to come but they will pass

And It Came to Pass

463 Verses in the King James Version “And it came to pass….” Dr J. Vernon McGee told a story on his program, Thru the Bible, about a pastor in a church that asked his congregation for their favorite Bible verses. A man stood up and said, “And it came to pass,” and sat down. The confused…

Rainbow in dark blue cloudy sky above tall green pine trees. Am I trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God's approval! Galatians 1:10

Approval from Who?

Galatians 1:10 GNT Am I trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God’s approval! On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. His motive was seeking the approval of Hollywood actress Jodie Foster.  While this may seem an extreme example of seeking human approval, can you…