It was an extra 6 hour drive – stressful in torrential rains, but well worth it to be able to spend time at Carmel by the Sea and experience the Asilomar coast. Sooo beautiful!
We lucked out- a break in the storm!
Don’t know what that white is…
Don’t know what that black spot is!
I know what that smudge on the left is… my thumb!The waves were crashing, the clouds parted , and we marveled at the fresh ocean air and gorgeous vistas. And headed back to our son’s in Placerville, the rain was heavy and the traffic was crazy. There was a terrible accident that delayed us awhile – all lanes closed. But on our way again, God sent this reassurance:A full rainbow with a break in the rain for about 15 reassuring minutes!!
God is good! Now, a safe drive to Sacramento airport early tomorrow- and I’ll see you back in Montana.
Kenny will be waiting for us. But will he want to come home? I don’t know. He’s had a wonderful 3 weeks with his Rover dog sitter. Thank you, Jenna. Happy New Year.
May you experience such love, too!!Bob’s brother Bill and MargeOur love for each otherMy cousin, Adrian DeAngelis & LauraBob’s 1969 wrestling student, Kevin with wife, KimTime with in-laws, the Paynes Contact with our DollyWolly, DeDe, in Switzerland Visit with Bob’s nephew, Bryan, and his sweet wife, Michelle … in their beautiful home Opportunity to attend church at Harvest – such sweet memories here!Christmas with granddaughter Faith and her hubbySo proud of our son, Ty, and the life he is living Ty’s wife, Monika, the perfect partner!Great food and precious Mable, our great-granddaughter Time in CA wine country: life can’t get much better!Thank you, Ty & Monika May your life be so blessed, too!!
Hard to believe! BionicBob is 87 today! Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet husband! I’m so glad he is here, hearing, and healing!!
Great visiting with old friends!
Feeling loved and pampered!
Staying with my dear cousin, Adrian & Laura DeAngelisVisiting former students ❤️👍🏽 Yes, this is Kevin from Bob’s 1969 wrestling program!!Time in Placerville with family … precious!Blessed to have each other!
Bob’s surgery (the insertion of a cochlear implant) is done. Lots of prayers for him… and they are really appreciated. Thank you, my WordPress friends. Now, the request is for successful healing and a safe drive home tomorrow (it’s 400 miles) and there’s a possibility of snow.
Bob – after surgeryMe… now… just sitting the sit!
And praying for all this to be worth it. Ultimately- better hearing. Please!
The inspired, hopeful scripture and another inspirational Sunday sermon from our dear Interim Pastor, Brian Conklin, yesterday at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
The Glorious New Creation
17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating, for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy and its people as a delight. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days or an old person who does not live out a lifetime, for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat, for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity,[a] for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well. 24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.
The world seems very fragile Seems everything’s falling apart Between despair and hope we are Wondering how to take heart
Promises and warnings go hand in hand Isaiah speaks of a new world beginning He promises the Kingdom has arrived But Luke reports Jesus’ warnings of sinning
Luke 21:5-19 NRSV Updated Edition
The Destruction of the Temple Foretold
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
Signs and Persecutions
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’[a] and, ‘The time is near!’[b] Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words[c] and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Jesus tells of a world that trembles He encourages us to stand and endure “By your endurance you will save your soul” Dig deep into your heart and persevere
We’re caught between joy and sorrow We’re asked to trust God even when we Can’t see evidence of His promises The Kingdom of God is now and not yet to see
Where you see the church planted, you see Signposts that point to the kingdom to come God’s love wins out over human nature So keep speaking peace over poverty and slum
God’s love holds us together when we feel The world is falling apart at the seams May we see even now glimpses of this New Heaven and New Earth – and know what it means.
What makes you unique? Your fingerprint and your eyes, Your hair and your smile.
Your conversation, And your own brand of whimsy. Do you embrace these?
Bob Goff wrote today, “God made you this way On purpose, freckles and all.”
He had lots of spots – As a kid, lots of freckles. He was teased a lot.
His grandma told him “Those spots are angel kisses.” So be proud of them!
“Don’t tell anyone,” She cautioned him not to share – “Friends would be jealous!”
That very mean boy Who teased Bob, calling him Spot, Wilted his soft heart.
With grandma’s advice His insecurities left, Finding acceptance.
Accept uniqueness! Embrace how you’re different. Congratulations!
Love, JanBeek
P.S. Bob Goff puts this message at the end of each of his books:
CONNECT WITH BOB “Bob’s passion is people. He’d love to hear from you if you want to email him at info@bobgoff.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and X: @bobgoff. Here’s his cell phone number if you want to give him a call: (619)985-4747.”
Ps. 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
The smiling face below belongs to our interim pastor, Brian Conklin, who delivered a beautiful sermon Sunday inspired by the prayer of David found in Psalm 17. I posted my sermon notes here and then (while messing around on WordPress on my phone), I accidentally erased the post. Some of my friends saw it before the mishap, I hope. Anyway… heeeeeere’s Brian…
And heeeere’s “A prayer of David”
1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.
3 Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. 4 Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. 5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. 7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings 9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Heaven knows, I need to be one of those protected chicks under “the shadow of your wings!”
Can’t redo what I lost… Need to get to bed. Oh well…
My sermon notes try to capture the essence of what I hear each Sunday. Our pastor, Brian Conklin, delivered this inspiring message last Sunday:
Issues of faith, leprosy, and other skin troubles Are the topics we are looking at today. God is whispering to us to pay attention, Live with humility, and show our gratitude.
Naaman, the man in 2Kings 5, was a man of great wealth Whose skin disease stripped away his power. A small, captured servant girl told Naaman There was a man in Israel, Elisha, who could heal him.
Naaman went to Elisha’s house and was greeted By a servant who told him to go to the Jordan river And dip himself seven time for healing, He does go, after anger and reluctance, and was healed.
It was his listening and obeying God in humility That was his true source of healing. Then, (in Luke 17) there were ten lepers who were healed And only one turned back in gratitude, and was made whole.
Ten were healed, but only one was transformed. Faith is about trusting in the next step, Even in transition, fatigue, illness, and reluctance. Healing is about the restoration of relationship.
God meets us in our obedience, humility, and gratitude. Trust enough to step forward – then healing begins. When you are blessed, do you turn back? Do you stop, remember, and reflect in an Attitude of Gratitude?
Give thanks always, knowing our faithful God Will make you whole in your transformation. Sometimes the solution seems too simple – But if it takes seven dips in the river, do it!
And then, don’t forget to turn back to God And express your heartfelt gratitude For the ways He is faithful and always Answers your prayers with His mercy and compassion.
Amen? Amen!
What answered prayer are you especially grateful for today?
