May 29, 2026 – Clay
Our friend, Bob, was in a Catalina sailboat regatta in Pensacola, FL this past week. Don is sometimes the co-captain, but he hurt his knee in a race earlier in the month so we came down for the weekend to just enjoy the city and some sailing.
Days – Simpson reminds us of the precious truth that God is our potter and that our bodies are not our own, “He is alive forevermore and condescends to live in these houses of clay. They who thus receive Him may know Him as none ever can who exclude Him from the bodies which He has made for Himself. This is one of the deep and precious mysteries of the Gospel. ‘The body is for Lord, and the Lord for the body.’ ‘Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, and ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body, which is God’s’” (R.V.)
JC – “I know precisely what you need to draw nearer to Me. Go through each day looking for what I have prepared for you. Accept every event as My hand-tailored provision for your needs. When you view your life this way, the most reasonable response is to be thankful. Do not reject any of My gifts; find Me in every situation.”
Prevail #149 – Larson looks to Proverbs 6:16 as she points out, “There are things God absolutely loves. And there are things He hates…. Ponder what God loves: humble eyes, a truthful tongue, hands that serve, a heart that plans good things, feet quick to obey, an advocate of justice, and one who promotes peace and unity among His brothers.”
Power – Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joyce offers a helpful clarification of this verse, “When God gave Joshua the job of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, He told Joshua to ‘be not afraid.’ He didn’t tell Joshua that he wouldn’t feel fear, but that he would have to have courage in the face of fear…. Do it afraid; keep going forward and you will arrive at your desired destination. I am not suggesting we do foolish things, but if we are fully assured that we have direction from God, then we must press forward no matter what we feel like or what people say.”
Streams – John 15:15 – “I have called you friends.” To further illustrate the call and the benefit of a close walk with God, Cowman tells us, “Years ago there was an old German professor whose beautiful life was a wonder to his students. Some of them were determined to learn the secret of it, so one night they sent someone to hide in the study where the professor spent his evenings. It was quite late when the teacher finally came. He was very tired but sat down and spent one hour with his Bible. Then he bowed his head in silent prayer, and finally closing the Book of books, he said, ‘Well, Lord Jesus, we still have the same old relationship.’”
This painting, by Eric Enstrom, is in the dining room of the Airbnb where I am writing (on the 30th trying to finish the blog for the 29th), but didn’t pay full attention to it until Don and Bob walked in the room and pointed it out. It is quite ironic that I had just finished reading the Streams entry (which I then read to them).
Cowman continues, “’To know Christ’ (Phil. 3:10) is life’s greatest achievement. At all costs, every Christian should strive to ‘have the same old relationship’ with Him. The reality of knowing Jesus comes as a result of hidden prayer, and personal Bible study that is devotional and consistent in nature. Christ becomes more real to those who persist in cultivating His presence.”
JL – “My loving Lord, Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing Love. Help me to put my trust in You and enjoy Your Love shining upon me – even in the midst of my troubles…. I’m blessed when I take time to lift up my soul to You – waiting in Your Presence with no pretense and no demands…. I’m grateful that You are my God forever and ever; You will be my Guide even to the end!” See Psalm 143:8 and Psalm 48:14.
Sailing under the Pensacola Bay Bridge the first night:
