I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. I Corinthians 3:6

The first trucks arrived at about 7:15 AM on a Tuesday several weeks ago. In just a few minutes, our street was filled with a total of four large trucks, two bearing long trailers hauling the necessary equipment for removing a fifty-plus-foot silver maple tree from our front yard. The tree had developed a weak point in its growth pattern and was at risk of breaking in a windstorm. Half the tree was aimed at our roof if it came down, so we decided to remove the tree in the name of caution. Our two large oak trees would also get a good trim, raising their canopies and removing dead wood.

Within a very short order, the spider lift was removed from its trailer and properly anchored to take the chainsaw operator as high as he needed to go to complete the job. We sat amazed watching him cut branches and feed them to his crew on the ground with absolute precision. He truly was an artist in his field of work. The limbs were placed with perfect accuracy for the ground crew to haul them by hand to the mulching machine or pick up the larger ones with a grappling hook for loading onto a trailer for removal. An hour and forty-five minutes later, the entire tree was gone, and only a short stump remained. The oak trees were then trimmed, and the mess cleaned up so well that we wouldn’t have known the crew had been there except for the ugly stump.

I contacted the company owner that evening to see if he had us scheduled for stump removal. He didn’t, but said they would get to it as quickly as they could. A week later, no one had come to claim the stump, so we called the company owner again, and, long story short, on Saturday morning, I heard a commotion outside the bedroom window, again at 7:15. You guessed it, they were here to chip the stump. (I’m sure the neighbors were thrilled.) For the next hour or so, we listened to the sound of a large stump being chipped from the ground along with the larger roots radiating from it. We were then told that he would be back, as soon as scheduling permitted, to remove the pile of chips, which now resembled a giant anthill; we’re talking more than two feet high and six feet in diameter at its base. The birds and squirrels are having a field day with it, digging, pecking, and tossing chips everywhere.

We’re learning the art of patience. Apparently, there is a rhythm to the pattern this company uses to complete its work. And when they do it, they do it well. We, of course, are getting anxious for new green grass. And that will come, in its own time.

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. I Corinthians 3:7

When we are finally able to sow grass seeds, water and sun will work their miracle of growth, and we should see progress toward a new section of lawn in a couple of weeks.

When we sow seeds on those we encounter in our daily lives about developing a relationship with Jesus, they may sprout immediately, or they may lie dormant for a long time. But when they sprout and begin to develop roots, the Lord will provide plenty of Son-shine and Living Water, so that when the day of harvest comes, many can go to spend eternity with Him. Our job is to sow.

As I write, our giant anthill is still staring at us every time we look out the front windows, but we know someone will eventually come and pick it up. Once the hole is filled and the dirt scattered, seed can be sown, and we can begin watering and nourishing. Maybe God did us a favor by creating delays in finishing the job. After all, we are in the midst of a drought. Perhaps by waiting a while, the weather cycles may shift and God will choose to pour out His blessing in the form of nice, nourishing rain. Meanwhile, I need to ponder the many ways I can scatter spiritual seeds. I may or may not see them grow to fruition, but if I share well, a new generation can nourish those seeds and grow them into something beautiful.

In your quiet times with God, ask Him to show you practical ways you can sow good seeds in your relationships today. Joyce Meyer, Quiet Times with God

Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Matthew 6:28

While scrolling through my flower photos for this season, I happened upon a beautiful shot of a hydrangea bloom, one of only five on my two otherwise very healthy bushes. In fact, they grow so fast that I need to cut them back several times during the growing season to keep them from covering other, smaller plants. Their giant leaves shade my hostas and coral bells from the hot, summer sun. Why then are they not covered in clusters of pink, blue, and cream? Simple fact, hydrangeas are not supposed to be pruned back until about March in our area because their new blooms form on old wood. The trick is to see which stems are dead and which ones are producing buds, then take out the dead wood and leave the rest to create those gorgeous blossom clusters.

My problem is that even when I pruned properly, I seldom got many blooms. So I asked myself why I should live all winter with those ugly brown stems that stick me every time I get near them. My first choice would be to remove them altogether, but their root systems are very well developed and, in order to dig them out, I’d have to be willing to sacrifice other nearby plants that might not survive the trauma. Hence, I cut my hydrangeas back to about eight inches after they die back in the fall and settle for great foliage and protection for other plants during the summer.

But, guess what, this year they bloomed anyway, and I was thrilled. Apparently, there must have been an old branch tucked somewhere underneath that sprouted and developed into things of beauty.

This brings to mind another instance of surprise blooms. I’ve always loved Southern Magnolia trees and, on our wedding night, when we stepped into our motel room, I found a giant stemmed vase boasting an equally giant magnolia blossom. I felt very blessed that my new husband arranged such a sweet gift. I carried that vase balanced between my knees for many miles as we drove deep into Florida on our honeymoon. I can’t recall how many days the bloom lasted, but I wasn’t going to miss a moment of its beauty. And I still have the vase.

Years later, we finally bought a home of our own, and I planted a young southern magnolia tree. When it was three years old, Ken came rushing into the house, announcing that there were blooms on the magnolia tree. I thought it was just another of his interesting pranks, because, you see, magnolias are not expected to bloom until around their fifteenth year. There was no way there could be blooms on that tree. But he kept pestering me until I gave in and went to check on a tree that I was certain had no blooms, just so Ken would give up and let me get back to what I was doing. And do you know, it wasn’t a prank. There, on my three-year-old magnolia tree, were three perfect blooms, one for each year of its life. My excitement was overwhelming. I watched those blooms in wonder until they finally faded and fell from the tree. A few months later, the tree died from some unknown reason, but God had rewarded my care for that little tree with three gorgeous blossoms that I will never forget.

If He cares enough for me to create magnolia and hydrangea blossoms where, according to our laws of nature, there should have been none, he surely has the time and the love needed to see me through the really big issues in my life. And if he’s willing to take His time to please me, can’t I give Him more of my time and absorb His very nature? There’s nature and then there’s human nature. I want to be an earthly ambassador of God’s true nature.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Matthew 6:30

But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it. Luke 14:28

Lately, I have become aware that some of the young people with whom I come in contact struggle with the mastery of our American currency system. Our current generation has and still is growing up with a totally electronic shopping experience. Whether it be buying new clothes, eating at restaurants, listening to music, or watching their favorite streaming entertainment, the transaction is accomplished electronically.

As an example, our granddaughter recently spent a few days with us. Before leaving home, her parents had exchanged her Apple Cash account for actual money so she’d be able to shop at flea markets and garage sales while with us. During one of our outings, we decided to purchase a bag of kettle corn, but she also wanted some pork rinds. The price was $6 each or two for $10. I said, “Let me pay for it, and you can pay me back.” She said she only had a twenty-dollar bill. I told her we’d break it when she found something else she wanted to buy, and we’d ask the cashier for the correct change to take care of it. I may as well have been speaking Greek. She had no knowledge of making change. So began our discourse regarding combinations of paper bills that totaled twenty dollars. In the end, I paid for the pork rinds, and I’m unsure how much she understood of our little lesson. Since then, Ken had a conversation with a young neighbor who also didn’t understand the concept of making change.

A few years ago, we had quite a discussion with a young clerk in a fast-food restaurant who told us the wrong amount for our purchase, and we informed her that it was more than it should be. She argued that whatever her register said was correct, and we were wrong. The discussion became loud enough that the manager appeared, asking what he could do to help. She explained her claim, the manager looked at the register, told her to close it down immediately because it was incorrect, and to re-ring our purchase on a different register. She was not happy, but she learned that machines can make errors.

Perhaps our kids no longer really need to know how to make change or balance a checkbook. There is talk of eliminating currency completely, meaning no money would ever change hands. Our personal finances would all be handled electronically, and cash would be another dinosaur of our past. But, even if cash and checkbooks are going the way of two-dollar bills and cursive writing, we still need to know how to make and stay on a budget, and that’s a real challenge for many people. Disagreements over money rank high on the list of reasons why relationships go astray.

God knew that the management of our financial resources would be difficult for us, and he provided lots of Biblical instruction as to how we should view our personal wealth, no matter how large or small it happens to be. He also instructed us to be content with what we have. He didn’t want us to over-extend ourselves.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

One more quick little story. When our youngest was in her senior year at college, her roommate came home distraught one day. The bank had bounced a check, and she didn’t understand why. Our daughter asked if she had money in the bank, and she answered, “I still have checks, so I guess I still have money in the bank.” Fourth-year college student, and she didn’t understand the principles of a checking account. Today, she’d have a refillable credit card or an electronic cash account. If she tried to purchase something that exceeded her account balance, she’d be told she needed a refill or a new funding source. Maybe there’s merit in this new system. At least, we can’t bounce a check.

My point is that we all need to know how to deal with our money responsibly, whether we pay in cold, hard cash, credit cards, or online payment services. If you don’t feel confident in your spending habits, have trouble setting a budget and sticking to it, or know someone who does, find a reliable program and get started on the road to fiscal responsibility.

The most important thing to remember is that the first line item in your budget is to return to God the portion that is His and to do it cheerfully, for God loves a cheerful giver. From there, let God guide your financial decisions, and you’ll find a peace and contentment you’ve not known before.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. II Corinthians 9:7

Temptation is knowing what is right while still feeling the desire to satisfy our inevitable curiosity. 

The service was nearly over when the notification sounded on my phone. My first thought is that someone has had an emergency. I always turn my phone to “Do not disturb” before the music begins, and the only contacts allowed to bypass it are my kids. When I checked, it was my fourteen-year-old granddaughter, and she is not one of those who can bypass the setting, so how did she get through? (I never figured that one out.) I set the phone aside for the few minutes remaining of the church service, and then I read her message. She was coming to spend a few days with us and wanted to be sure there were plenty of fresh fruit options in our fridge and that her specific choices were among them. As if I, the trusted Grandma, would be unaware of her dietary wishes. I quickly replied, and we went over her list, most of which I had already bought, and she was content.

Many of us are so attached to our phones that we often forget our manners and can’t resist looking at them when a notification sounds, even when we know we shouldn’t. I must admit I can be caught sneaking a peek when I receive a message while in conversation with another person. I know it’s rude and I should ignore it, but it only takes a second to read the message, and then I can choose to ignore or respond. My conscience always reminds me that I need to focus on the person I am facing and not the one who is interrupting our conversation. Cell phones have made it too easy and tempting to make instant contact with others at inappropriate times.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)

Once our granddaughter arrived, many other temptations arose. She loves flea marketing. She’s almost as obsessed with it as her grandpa. Let’s face it, she likes most any kind of shopping. She was ready to head out the door as soon as her mom left, so we grabbed a bite of lunch and began our big adventure. It doesn’t take long for her to find something she thinks she wants. She has her shopping budget and must make choices that she can live with. After careful consideration, she went home that first day with only one small item and most of her money still in her purse.

The second, and final, day of shopping was a completely different story. She still shopped carefully and conserved some of her budget for the final stop. But when all was said and done, she had spent all she had, and Grandpa had to help her out with taxes. Temptations aplenty followed her throughout the various flea markets, but she made tough choices and ended the adventure with some pretty cool items. And while she was shopping, she met some very interesting people who taught all of us a bit of history and some important lessons.

We’re faced with countless temptations every day that we live—some are large and many are quite small. The thing is, there’s usually a right and a wrong response to the temptations we encounter. But sometimes it’s easy to rationalize the choice we know to be wrong because there’s no one around to see us. Therefore, who can it hurt? Or the infraction is so small that probably no one will notice anyway. Or maybe we even believe that no one cares enough to try to stop us.

Let me tell you that would be an incorrect assumption. Our God is always watching, and He always cares about His kids. He wants us to make the right decisions. He loves us enough that he allows us to make our own choices. And he provided a way for our wrong choices to be absolved.

Whatever temptations we have given in to, and we all do, there is a way to break all the chains that bind us in situations we’d rather not be. The choice is ours. Choose well!

Let me finish with a riddle our granddaughter shared with us:

Why does Jesus not wear jewelry? Because He breaks all the chains.

That’s not my statement. It came from the ever straightforward book of Proverbs or, at least, Max Lucado’s interpretation of the verse. The NLT says, “Unfriendly people care only about themselves.” The message is pretty much the same, but I think the use of the word selfish is appropriate. It says that we are closing ourselves off from others, not sharing good times and bad, not helping when needed. So, just how friendly are we as a people of God?

Pastor Dennis has been speaking for several weeks on the topic Love Guides the Gospel. Our society typically sees love as a “feeling” for a special person, a sensation encouraged by physical attraction to that person. How often do we hear someone say “love you” at the end of a conversation? We all need romantic love in our relationships, but when we dive a little deeper, we learn that the word love is a verb, you know… an action word. Love means putting our words into action, reaching out from ourselves for the betterment of those around us.

Love is not a feeling but a choice we make about how we will treat people. Joyce Meyer, Quiet Times with God

Very early in our relationship, my husband told me that he was a shy person. Not so…as I learned very quickly. He debunked that description of himself when he asked me straight out if I knew Jesus. That’s a story I shared with you recently, but it bears another look because it relates so well to the topic at hand. Ken was completely comfortable asking me if I knew Jesus, partly because my answer would be an important component to the future of our relationship but also just because he wanted to share Jesus’ love with everyone, including me.

It doesn’t matter where we go, Ken always finds a stranger with whom to converse. In fact, when we were out camping with family and dinnertime rolled around, we’d ask our granddaughter where Grandpa was, and the answer was almost always, “He’s talking to strangers again.” Clearly, she frowned upon that habit of his.

Our society, rightfully so, considering the dangers lurking around many corners, teaches children at an early age not to speak to strangers. But, in our fear that something bad will happen to our kids, are we establishing a lifelong pattern of unfriendliness? Add to that our propensity to embrace technology, and we tend to withdraw into our own private little worlds. Strange, isn’t it, that technology opens up so many worlds to explore, but it isolates us from in-person human interaction.

Thankfully, Ken still embraces both worlds. He certainly keeps up with world happenings and the latest trends in lifestyle, but he also reaches out to new families who move into our neighborhood. He takes the time to go and greet them, introduce himself, learn their names, and he typically asks if they have a church home. I’m quite sure my eyes opened wide the first time I heard him do that, but I’ve become very comfortable with his approach to “evangelism.” He cares about people and if they don’t have a church family, he wants to make sure they know the opportunity is there to come and check out ours.

For a long time, I found it harder to reach out spontaneously and share Jesus with others, but it’s amazing how much easier it gets with practice. That’s something we all need to practice more.

Whether or not you are friendly could determine whether or not someone hears about Jesus. Max Lucado, Everyday Blessings

Thank you, Lord, for pulling us out of ourselves. And into your love. Buck Storm, Daily Guideposts

I need to add a postscript….As is typical, when I finish writing, I asked the Lord to tell me if there was anything else I needed to add, and then I went outside to water my plants. During the entire time I was spraying water over thirsty ground, the words to the song “Open the Gates” kept dominating my thoughts, the melody floating through my subconscious awareness. And suddenly, I remembered we had sung that song as our opener on Sunday morning. You know how it is when you hear a certain song and it sets itself on repeat for a long time.

OK Lord, I got the message. I need to open the floodgates of my heart, to be friendly, and let your love pour out on everyone I meet, even if they are reluctant to receive it. At least the seed is planted. Maybe someday it will take root and begin to grow. That’s how it works. We plant seeds and you, Lord, nourish them in Your good timing. Now that the mission is clear, please give me the tools I need to carry out my portion. I never want to be unfriendly or selfish with your love! Amen.

A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. II Peter 3:8b-9a

When you reach my age and the truth reveals that you have many more days behind you than ahead, it becomes easier to see that God has provided numerous little detours in life that were intended as teaching moments. It’s a little like hiking in unfamiliar territory…..Ken and I were both outdoor people long before we met, so hiking was just a part of our collective DNA. We climbed the tallest peaks in Missouri, traversed some of the tallest in Colorado, and hoofed it up Clingman’s Dome in the Smokies many times. On these journeys, our trail was well marked, but there were days when a simple hike in whichever park we currently called home became a maze of unknowns. We seldom took a compass because Ken had an uncanny sense of direction and, even on an unmarked trail, he would typically figure out where we were and set us back on the right trail in no time at all.

But set him down in the middle of Springfield, MO, or Savannah, GA, Dallas, TX, or Nashville, TN, and suddenly he doesn’t know east from west, north from south. He’s a natural at reading the signs displayed by the sky, the earth, plants, and even animals. He can find his way out of almost any of God’s incredible creations, but when humans mess it up with roads and buildings, massive confusion sets in. This should be our cue to avoid large cities, wouldn’t you think? But sometimes we don’t heed our teaching moments.

Most of our long-distance traveling was enjoyed when we were younger, and paper maps were our guide. Read McNally was pretty good at adding cutaway versions of larger cities, but often the enlarged map was still too small to include less-traveled side streets, and if changes occurred, those maps typically weren’t updated in a very timely manner. And often I, as chief navigator, found myself confused by a road that seemingly ended with no visible outlet. This led to some uncomfortable moments, especially if the weather became a factor or we found ourselves staring at a dead-end sign. I must admit, sometimes tempers flared.

Fortunately, along came a little tool called GPS. It has immensely eased the burden of navigating big cities. Being able to zoom in on tricky interchanges has taken a lot of the guesswork out of traveling and made for calmer days. Of course, the voice offering directions can sometimes become a little irritating and make the occasional error, but all in all, I find it much more efficient than paper maps stretching all across the front seat of the car, and we are now able to reach almost any destination… eventually!

Life is filled with unmarked trails, many leading to destinations that could harm us. If we don’t pay attention to the road signs or listen to that irritating little voice, we can find ourselves in some pretty dark alleys. So, how do we know which road to take?

Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right. Isaiah 30:21 MSG

Just as we sometimes find ourselves temporarily lost on the literal trails we hike or highways that we travel, so can we discover we’ve taken a wrong turn with one life choice or another. We may feel uncomfortable in our career choice, or perhaps the one we thought would be a perfect life companion turns out not to be so perfect after all. Perhaps we’ve made a darker choice that led us to a boxed-in canyon that seems to have no way out. There is always a way out if we listen to the one voice our heart and mind can accept as authentic. Jesus won’t let us down. The right way may seem to take us in circles, but in the end, he’ll do what’s best for us. Our task is to stay focused on that quiet voice that always provides the right directions and will be the only GPS we ever need.

Sometimes God lets us lose hope for a moment so we’ll retrace our steps and find Him all over again. Bob Goff

By: Marcy Barthelette

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night…. Psalm 91:5a

It was just after midnight on Thursday night, and I’d settled in for a good night’s sleep when a loud bang pierced the silence, and I realized someone in the neighborhood was shooting off fireworks. I also noticed a vibrating sensation, not uncommon by day because lots of vehicles pass through the neighborhood during daylight hours blasting radios much louder than needed. But in the middle of the night! Really? I looked out my window and witnessed a large party just getting started two houses down the street.

It’s legal in our little town to shoot fireworks on July Fourth only, so by starting just after midnight, they were technically within the law. I finally gave up griping and complaining and found something calming to stream on my tablet, thinking they would settle down soon. At two forty-five AM, I decided I had to try and sleep. I shut down my tablet and snuggled down into bed, only to hear another loud bang. Thankfully, I finally fell asleep sometime shortly after three.

As we slept, hundreds of miles away, in the beautiful hill country of Texas, the Guadeloupe River, typically an idyllic place for water recreation, raged through the town of Kerrville and the surrounding area with a rise of more than twenty feet in less than an hour. We woke to learn that many lives were lost that early morning, and, as I write, a number of people are still missing. The loss of life has been staggering; many were just children, enjoying a week at summer camp. I was quickly reminded that my earlier concerns had been merely a bump in the road.

Some events in this life, like inconsiderate neighbors, have a seemingly major impact for a short while, but the memory quickly dims. Others, however, leave a damaging footprint that affects families for as long as they live. Families devastated by this flood have yet to find rest, and they will never forget what happened in the dark, wee hours of July Fourth, 2025.

I can’t imagine the terror felt by someone caught up in the violence of raging water, nor the grief so many parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, and others are experiencing as they grapple with the awful truth of what flash flooding can accomplish. Ken and I have lived alongside rivers that were heavily prone toward flash flooding. We know how fast they can rise and have seen the devastation that can occur in just minutes. We’ve been involved in evacuations and search and recovery missions. It’s not an easy thing, and it’s one of those times when your mind wanders to questions about why God would allow something so heinous to happen. We’ll never have those answers this side of heaven, but we do know He promised to be with us in times of trouble and sorrow.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

God is a constant presence in the lives of His children. He is there to shelter and protect each individual who is hurting today as a result of a loss caused by those flood waters. We can’t bring the lost back to them, but we can pray that they will seek the shelter of the Almighty in their grief.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. Psalm 91:15

Lord, Jesus, may every person experiencing a loss in this recent flash flooding feel the touch of your hand as they travel a road they never wanted to explore. May they find your peace and comfort in the days, weeks, and months ahead. May they lay their doubts and anger at your feet. May they accept your strength in their weakness. Help them to allow their good memories to overcome the bad. And please let them know they will never, ever be alone. It is in your precious name I pray. Amen.

This week, we celebrate the birth of our nation. To many of us, that means backyard barbecues with family and friends, perhaps some fireworks to cap off an evening of fun and fellowship. A deeper dive takes us back over two hundred and fifty years when the place we call the United States was a loose configuration of colonies along our eastern coastline that were engaged in deep disagreement with the British government over a little thing called “taxation without representation.” In other words, the British government was demanding tax money from the colonists but not allowing them a voice in the government. All of this disagreement precipitated a painful war that ended in the birth of a new nation. 

But disagreement continued among the new colonies about a number of issues, and so a Continental Congress was convened with representatives from each colony in attendance and, following a lot of heated debate, a constitution was established. Was it perfect? Absolutely not! And yet, its precepts have served us well over the two and a half centuries since. Various leaders have come and gone, and differing perspectives have kept our debate alive. We naturally gravitate toward certain individuals because they espouse beliefs with which we can agree. We take positions that align with what we hear that sounds reasonable to us. We are pulled toward those individuals and ideas that are attractive to us, for better or worse.

We’re all familiar with the word gravity. It is defined as the force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center. It’s the force that causes all the planets to remain in constant orbit around the sun. It’s what makes a ball come back to earth when tossed in the air. It’s what keeps us from floating off into space.

It’s easy to see how the word gravity could be applied to our attraction to the things around us that may seem better than that which we are experiencing in any given moment. A person or an idea that seems to promise personal gratification can color the way we see the world around us. We can easily be drawn into danger or unacceptable behavior because of our innate sense of “lust.” As Pastor Dennis pointed out on Sunday morning, our downfall began in a beautiful garden called Eden, and today’s temptations are just as dangerous. Just as our country remains in constant search for good leaders, we need a personal leader we can rely on to point us in the right direction. That leader went to a cross to redeem us.

This past week, the kids in our church and community learned the meaning of a term called “True North,” defined as the direction along Earth’s surface toward the place where the imaginary rotational axis of the Earth intersects the surface on its northern half, the True North Pole.

But the term “True North” also contains a spiritual adaptation, referring to our core values, purpose, and deepest sense of self. Think of it as an internal compass that guides us toward authenticity and personal fulfillment, as well as ensuring that our decisions will align with our genuine beliefs. It is an awareness of direction, a fixed point that helps individuals stay on their chosen path, a gravitational pull, if you will.

All this rhetoric begs the question,

“Where, or whom, do you want your True North to be?”

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer….Psalm 18:2a

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Ephesians 2:20-21