Bubble Bath

We are doing tons of swimming on vacation, which also means we takes lots of baths. So, we decided to have some fun and put soap in our jacuzzi tub. Not only was it fun, but it was good way to launder our bathing suits.

Our time away has been a blast! Like I said earlier, lots of swimming, play games, just relaxing. This morning we did tye-dye shirts, we'll see how they turn out tomorrow. We only a few more days left before we come home, and all I really want to accomplish is some reading: IT by Craig Groeschel.

I almost forgot... for Valentines day I made a seafood pasta (shrimp and scallop) with lemon garlic butter, heavy cream and white wine sauce with crab legs and bacon wrapped scallops on the side. Needless to say, it was delicious!

That's all for today... we're heading off to Port Townsend. IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE.

Vacation - Can't Get Away

The family is enjoying a little time away. We arrived yesterday and met some friends here that we did ministry with in Everett:Jon and Karly Weitzel with their kids; Reagan, Ella and Jack.

We woke-up to a beautiful sunrise! I read Psalms 5:3 NIV and it reminded me again of God's GRACE - In the morning O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my request before you, and wait in expectation.

Each new day I can expect His gracious attention in my life. Even if I can't see the sun behind the clouds, I know that it's there. No matter what darkness or shadow may be cast upon me, because of GRACE I can have expectation instead of dwelling in depression and gloom.

Even on vacation... you can't get away from His GRACE!

Hard to be Bold

In the Old Testament, the only people who could be in the presence of God was the priests, and only after a very intense and complete cleansing process, physically and spiritually, and put on special clothing. If the priests were not completely 'clean', they would be struck dead when they went behind curtain into the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was and the presence of God dwelt. Their outer robe had bells that hung from it to indicate if they were still moving. If not, the other priests would pull the dead and unclean priest out by the rope which was tied around the waist.

Imagine the heaviness and stress that weighed on those who were about ready to go behind the curtain. I don' think they entered in with boldness, or confidence. At best, I would be full of fear and my mind constantly racing if I got everything covered in the ridged cleansing process. When Jesus died, that curtain which separated the presence of God was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Since that moment, everyone could be in the presence of God because Jesus was that ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf. So, listen to what the instruction is for us; found in Hebrews 4:16.

"Let us then approach the throne of GRACE with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find GRACE to help us in our time of need."

READ THAT AGAIN! Did you see it... His GRACE, that became my GRACE, allows me to come into God's presence with confidence... just as I am, that I then can receive mercy! No longer do I need to be someone special, or be clean in order to come to God... HE CAME TO ME, and He wasn't offended by my faults, failures and sin.

Don't allow condemnation and shame to keep you from the GRACE that is readily available. There is freedom and mercy available to all of us... by HIS GRACE! This wasn't something initiated by us, but by God. He's the one who is beckoning all of us to come boldly, with confidence into His GRACE.