Hi Brian!

It was SO good to see you all this weekend! Thank you again, so very much, for allowing us to use your home for our mini vacation escape! The atmosphere in your home is so very inviting, peaceful, and relaxing! You all are SUCH a blessing!!! Which brings us to this weeks blog post! This from Charles Spurgeon made me think of you and Kristine! 

"Thy gentleness hath made me great." — Psalm 18:35

The words are capable of being translated, "Thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but the goodness of God. "Thy providence," is another reading; and providence is nothing more than goodness in action. Goodness is the bud of which providence is the flower, or goodness is the seed of which providence is the harvest. Some render it, "Thy help," which is but another word for providence; providence being the firm ally of the saints, aiding them in the service of their Lord. Or again, "Thy humility hath made me great." "Thy condescension" may, perhaps, serve as a comprehensive reading, combining the ideas mentioned, including that of humility. It is God's making Himself little which is the cause of our being made great. We are so little, that if God should manifest His greatness without condescension, we should be trampled under His feet; but God, who must stoop to view the skies, and bow to see what angels do, turns His eye yet lower, and looks to the lowly and contrite, and makes them great. There are yet other readings, as for instance, the Septuagint, which reads, "Thy discipline"—Thy fatherly correction—"hath made me great;" while the Chaldee paraphrase reads, "Thy word hath increased me." Still the idea is the same. David ascribes all his own greatness to the condescending goodness of his Father in heaven. May this sentiment be echoed in our hearts this evening while we cast our crowns at Jesus' feet, and cry, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." How marvellous has been our experience of God's gentleness! How gentle have been His corrections! How gentle His forbearance! How gentle His teachings! How gentle His drawings! Meditate upon this theme, O believer. Let gratitude be awakened; let humility be deepened; let love be quickened ere thou fallest asleep to-night.

When we spend time with JESUS, people will take note! Acts 4:13 says this:

13 Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

The kindness, love, generosity, considerateness, patience and care that you two have shown toward us, and others, shows more than any words that you both have "been with Jesus"! Your daughters also show such love and interest in us! You are training them up well! They are lovely and kind and interested and loving and thoughtful! Just like their parents! Just like JESUS! We love you so much! Here  is Hillsong with "Thank You":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!