Goodness and Mercy

It is through the Son, at the cost of his own blood, that we are redeemed, freely forgiven through that full and generous grace which has overflowed into our lives and opened our eyes to the truth. For God had allowed us to know the secret of his plan, and it is this: he purposes in his sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in Heaven or earth shall find its perfection and fulfillment in him. And here is the staggering thing—that in all which will one day belong to him we have been promised a share... Ephesians 1:7-11a 

A dear friend since my college days passed away yesterday. He was a Vietnam veteran, a wonderful Bible teacher, husband and father. I will always remember his teaching on Ephesians 1, that impacted my life as a young college student at GSU.

He had suffered from dementia for the last two years. I remember that one of his favorite songs was "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and I will feast at the table set for me."

Rock of Ages Cave

Granddaughter Kaedyn visited Squire Boone Caverns recently with her first grade class. This is a photo of Rock of Ages Cave. Squire Boone was the brother of Daniel Boone. She was fascinated by stalagmites and stalactites. but most interested in the grist mill, and the candle and soap making.

Over Memorial Day weekend, her family moved to a town twenty miles away. I felt sad that she would not be near enough to drop in and visit me often, but I had to be happy for her when I saw how much she is enjoying her new back yard!

Indiana

Indiana has had four different plants as the state flower in its history, including the Carnation, the Tulip Tree Flower and the Zinnia. The state’s most recent choice, adopted in 1957, the Peony, thrives here in southern Indiana.

Even though I have been in Indiana for 27 years now, I live very close to Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Louisville.

View of Louisville KY from Indiana

Memorial Day

I heard a former prisoner of war in Viet Nam tell how he spent lonely years in captivity praying and remembering Bible verses and songs he learned as a small child.

Thank You, Lord Jesus for Your promise that: "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 

I pray for those whose loved one died in the service of our country, and also those who are serving today and for their family members who await their safe return. 

Christ's Love

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:35,38 NLT