Some good friends of ours from Iowa have been visiting us here in Auberry the last couple of days. While they were here they wanted to visit Yosemite National Park - a location you should never miss if you get the chance. They specifically wanted to see world-famous Bridalveil Fall. Now this was great. We drove them up into the park, spent the day checking out several sites, and 'hit' Bridalveil in the afternoon. I was concerned, however, about visiting Bridalveil because, though it is always beautiful, it is at its best when water is flowing, and that generally only happens in the late spring, early summer time-frame with the winter snow run-off. By this time of year,September, Bridalveil is usually bone-dry. Not to worry. This area of California had had such a wet winter and spring that, even now after a hot summer, the water was still flowing and the view was spectacular. The supply is important; but everything depends on the source.

Hebrews 13:5 reminds us what God promised Israel in Deut. 31:6,8 and Joshua 1:5"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." That being the case, the Hebrews writer feels confident in verse 6 to go ahead and quote Ps. 118:6,7:"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man (or anything else) do to me." Our Savior is not a seasonal Savior nor is His grace dependent on Divine whim. Our Lord does not take coffebreaks or weekends off or vacations off. Our Lord is a 24/7 God. In the 102nd Psalm, verses 18-20, we read these words: "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: 'The Lord looks down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he views the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.'" Flowing mercy is what our God has always been about. Abundant grace is what His Name is. Right now - this very minute - God's amazing grace is flowing. Come to Him and enjoy!

It is hard to believed but our first grandchild is almost 4 months old. Samuel Alexander Mounts was born on May 17 and what a blessing he is to the whole family. Recently we visited Samuel and his folks and during our stay had occasion to look in on him while he slept. Very few things in life connote peacefulness and innocence like a baby asleep in his crib. But it must also be said that very few things in life connote possibnle risk and danger as the picture of a baby asleep because of that child's total defenselessness. Everyone, of course, is defenseless in sleep. But a baby is helpless asleep or awake. The child must have protection.

This is the picture that David evokes in the third Psalm, verses 3-6: "But you, O Lord, are a shield for me . . . I cried to the Lord and He heard me . . . I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousand people who have set themselves against me all around."

No one likes to think of themselves as being helpless - Peter certainly didn't. But aty one point in their relationship when Peter was feeling especially strong in his own strength, Jesus tole him that Satan wanted 'to sift you as wheat,' but Jesus wouldn't let him (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus protected him. Jesus saved him in Peter's helplessness.

Do we truly think that we are any different than big, bold, but ultimately defenseless Peter. Thee came a time in Peter's life when he himself recognized this fact. In 1 Peter 5:8 he writes: "Your (our) enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." How do we defeat him? "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6) Jesus is our victory - and when we are at our weakest, He will show us that He is at His strongest.

Jesus told His desciples that the good Sheipherd lays down His life for His sheep. He says the same thing to us today. That evening when we looked in on our baby, there were five adults in that room who would have done anything and everything in their power to protect the child. On an eternally greater scale Jesus says to all of His children: "Relax, kids; in Jesus,enjoy life. Sleep, arise, you're safe. From now till forever, I've got your back!"