I see you and I love you still
Love does not die and never will
I miss you and need you
And long to see you
And I'm happy you're alive
Even when you're not here by my side.
When you are gone, my life is empty
My heart longs to be with you
You are my love, my man, my dream come true.

22 June 2019

18 June 2019 Summer trips 2019

Alex and I decided to do all our summer travel early to avoid the rush.

We visited Ephraim and family living in Las Vegas for Memorial Day..

We visited family and friends in Spokane the second week in June.

4 May 2019 Shalom

16 April 2019 Peace by Robert Strand

Eirene (Greek), pronounced I-ray-nay, meaning: peace, prosperity, quietness, rest, or to be set at one with yourself again.
Maybe we have reason to despair when a historian has pointed out that about 85 percent of all human history concerns itself with war and conflict - personal, national, or worldwide. But into this cynical, weary, war-torn, strife-filled world there is a positive message in regards to peace and the author of peace: "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6)! Peace has come even into the midst of war.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.... - Galations 5:22 23

16 April 2019 Self Control by Robert Strand

Enkrateia (Greek), meaning: en, infused or within; kratos, vigor, dominion, power, strength. Having a great force within but under control.
Society today is telling us to let it all hang out, do your own thing, look out for #1, and to be free of all restraints. If we are to restrain or control ourselves in the eyes of this world it's only so that we do not abuse someone else. But the Bible goes much further. We are to manifest self-control in order to become like Jesus Christ! Self-control in reality is a very high form of worship because it is a living out of His commandments - it's a "doing" act of character in order that all of the fruit of the Spirit will be seen in us.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.... - Galations 5:22 23

16 April 2019 Love by Robert Strand

Agape (Greek), meaning: God's fruit of love which gives itself away with a pure motive and most generously.
The golden text of the Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God loved us into His kingdom. The toughest thing about love is being loving to others. Some people are easy to love, but what about those unlovely people, those enemies? Is it possible to love like God loves? It's impossible for us normal human beings. It can't be done alone. It can only be done in the power of the Spirit and the transformation of the human spirit.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control... - Galations 5:22 23

16 April 2019 Gentleness by Robert Strand

Praotes (Greek), meaning: Gentle, mild, meek, to be an in-wrought grace of the soul.
Gentleness is not a normal, native plant growing out of the human soul. It is not a natural part of our makeup. It grows as the Holy Spirit nurtures it. Meekness is to be part of your makeup no matter what your temperament might be or has been. To today's modern person, gentleness and meekness are not desirable character qualities. In contrast to that, there is hardly a single characteristic which you can name which will better distinguish the Christian from the rest of the world.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.... - Galations 5:22 23

Patience by Robert Strand

Makrothumia (Greek), pronounced mak-roth-oo-meh'-ah, meaning: forbearance, long-enduring, fortitude, long-suffering, and patience.
When does a person develop patience? At the point of the new birth? How long does it take to cultivate this fruit to maturity? What does it take to make the process happen? The special application of this quality of character is most often exhibited in our dealing with other people - relationships. Perhaps it's easier to approach this from the negative side. Lack of patience can poison relationships and too often ruins what would otherwise be wonderful and maybe even brilliant personalities. But this fruit takes time to mature.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control... - Galations 5:22 23

Joy by Robert Strand

Xapia (Greek), chara, pronounced khar-ahí, meaning: cheerfulness, calm delight; gladness multiplied greatly; to be exceedingly full of joy!
Joyful people can be found anyplace and in some of the strangest of places. Being joyful is not dependent upon circumstances. Now it must be pointed out at the very beginning that there is a natural joy possessed by lots of people, a natural joy in the beauty of music or nature. There is a human joy in delightful relationships. There is joy in the satisfaction of a job well done. There is a healthy enjoyment of life. But we must also note that this kind of natural joy, at best is fleeting, it's not permanent. The joy of God is rooted deeply in His everlasting Spirit.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control... - Galations 5:22 23

Goodness by Robert Strand

Agathos (Greek), describes that which, a person being good in character or constitution, will be beneficial in its effect on others.
"Good" and "goodness" are two very popular words in the vocabulary of our day. We like to think that what we do is "good" to benefit others. But what really is "goodness"? Before we consider "being" good and "doing" good, we will be needing a working definition of goodness. The measuring rod and the standard has been set by God and not by humans. God is the measure of all things, including goodness and what it means. So we'll attempt to start with an understanding of the "goodness" of God as a harvest of the Spirit's working in our lives.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.... - Galations 5:22 23

Faithfulness by Robert Strand

Pistos (Greek), meaning: to be trusted, reliable, believing, to be counted on at all times, of a firm persuasion, faithful.
Faith and faithfulness are closely linked - faith being foundational to all that we believe and act upon. Faith is that undefinable power through which we can realize as reality things that are as yet unseen. Faithfulness is the working out of this inner belief system. When we have faith in God, we act in faithful ways. Acts of faithfulness are the demonstration that we have a true faith in God and such acts are the threads holding our belief and behavior system together. As the writer has said, "faith without works is dead."
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.... - Galations 5:22 23

16 April 2019 Kindness by robert Strand

Chrestotes (Greek), pronounced khray-stot'-ace, meaning: useful moral excellence of character or demeanor, gracious, gentle, goodness, and kindness.
Kindness is planted in seed form, imputed, and ingrained in the new nature of a new Christian under the code name of "fruit." It's ours to be developed by the work of the Spirit... it's to be shown in all of our human contacts. The goal is for each of us to be as kind to others as Jesus Christ in His mercy has been kind to us. Kindness is a sign of greatness! It is intended to pervade and touch our entire nature. It is to replace the harsh and hardness. Jesus was a kind person, and people are attracted to kindness personified.
But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.... - Galations 5:22 23