Mary the Mother of Jesus

And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. — Matthew 1:16

This week marks the first week in Advent.

We anticipate the coming Jesus during this time.

Advent means coming.

Jesus was born to Mary and joseph, two ordinary young people.

He is called the Messiah, the Savior of His people.

His lineage shows that people of all nations and people groups are represented in his ancestry.

And he came to save all people. 

Including me! Amazing.

The Lord Is Compassionate

 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. — Psalm 11:4

God has created amazing wonders.

We remember all He has done for us.

And we give Him thanks.

All the ways He overwhelms us with His goodness.

God is gracious and loving.

He is compassionate and just.

Even though we deserve punishment, He shows us mercy.

He is majestic and worthy of praise.

Glorious and Majestic

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. — Psalm 111:3

God's works are glorious.

The Lord's deeds are majestic.

His righteousness lasts forever.

God's love reaches to the ends of the earth.

His mercy endures always.

He provides just what we need.

And He blesses us again and again.

His abundance overflows.

And we are blessed with His goodness.

 

Great Are God's Works

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. — Psalm 111:2

God's works are glorious.

We delight in them all.

When we think of the heavens, the moon and the stars that God has created, we are amazed.

We stand in awe of Him.

We give thanks.

These are the pies Kirk made for Thanksgiving.

Plus a delicious pumpkin pie not in the picture

His first year to make all of the pies.

They turned out amazing.

Rita would be proud!

 

Light Dawns

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. — Psalm 112:4

God's light dawns on us.

Even though we are living in a world of darkness.

Those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous will see God's light.

The light of Christ shining into our world.

We are thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessed

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. — Psalm 112:1

Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving!

Praise the Lord.

We who fear and honor God are blessed.

His commands and laws give us the guidance for the way we should live.

His Son gave His life for us.

Even though we didn't deserve it.

Apple pie reminds me of Fall and Thanskgiving.

It's one of Abby's favorites.

We have much to be thankful for.

Praise the Lord.

 

God Is Gracious

 The Lord is gracious and righteous our God is full of compassion. — Psalm 116:5

God is gracious.

He is Lord over all.

Our God is righteous.

There is none like Him.

He loves me and cares for me,

Providing more than I could ever imagine.

God is full of compassion.

He forgives me of all my sin. 

The Lord God is gracious.

God's Goodness

 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? — Psalm 116:12

God's goodness is endless.

He has blessed me over and over.

In spite of the wrong things I say and do.

He continues to guide and direct me.

To lead me in the path toward Him.

What shall I give Him for all His goodness to me?

He needs nothing.

All He asks is for my obedience.

That I glorify Him with my words and actions.

Help me, Lord, to follow You.

Praise the Lord!

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! — Psalm 116:18-19 

 

I don't always manage to fulfill my vows,

Whether to the Lord or to anyone else.

But God always keeps His. 

In the presence of all His people,

In the courts of the house of the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

 

A Thank Offering

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. — Psalm 116:17

 

Tonight we celebrate thanksgiving with a service at church. 

We will sing hymns, pray, and share our thanks to God.

We will give our offerings of money, time, and talents.

Giving thanks to God for His abundant greatness.

Kirk and I will lead the Psalm readings along with our friend Sheri.

We will worship God in the beauty of His holiness.

Gathering together in our church courtyard outside.

Calling on the name of the Lord.

Praising God for His goodness and love.

And for His sacrifice for each of us.

Calling on the name of the Lord.

 

I WIll Call on the Name of the Lord

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. — Psalm 116:12-13

God has been very good to us.

I have been looking for a new writer to join our team at work.

Today we found our new writer after a six-month search.

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving.

But we give thanks to God each day.

For giving us salvation and for loving us so much.

We praise the name of the Lord.

Rejoice Always, Pray Continually

Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving.

It will probably be just our family this year as we social distance for covid-19.

Even so, we will have a chance to give thanks to God for all the blessings He has given us.

We give thanks each day, praying continually.

In all circumstances we rejoice.

Knowing this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.

Do What Is Good for Each Other

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. — 1 Thessalonians 5:15

A few months ago my friend Kellie led us on a fun hike through Oak Canyon, not too far from my house.

Kellie's the one in the maroon t-shirt leading the way.

But toward the end, one of our friends twisted her ankle.

Of course, Kellie had a cold water bottle to put on it and we rested so she could put her leg up.

Then, when it was time to start up again, a couple of friends propped her up between them so she could hobble down the mountain without putting pressure on her ankle.

Finally, Kellie gave her a piggyback ride the rest of the way down.

My friends are always ready to do what is good for each other,

And for everyone else.

I am so thankful for them all!

Encourage the Disheartened

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. — 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Lots of people have become disheartened during this time of social distancing.

Others have become disruptive.

God calls us to encourage the disheartened.

He charges us to help the weak.

And to go beyond even helping others, by being patient with them,

Not something we can do on our own.

Only with God's help is it possible for us to be patient when we want to lash out and be rude.

 

Live in Peace

 Live in peace with each other. — 1 Thessalonians 5:12

In our war-torn world, it's not always easy to live in peace.

Tensions run high and we are quick to argue.

God calls us to be quick to listen.

To live in peace with each other.

To love our enemies.

Almost the opposite of what the world teaches us to do.

Help me, Lord, to follow You.

Those Who Work Hard

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. — 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a

My friend Mari works hard for the Lord.

She prays for others, tells them about Jesus, and lives to serve Him.

She walks her neighbors dogs.

Here's one she brought on our walk down to the Old Mission Dam.

And she cares for their pets when they are unable to.

I admire and respect her.

She will go in for a scan tomorrow to see if the doctors can find why she is still in so much pain.

I am praying for her healing and for relief from the pain.

Build Each Other Up

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

God asks us to encourage each other.

To build up each other.

To love our enemies as well as our friends.

To continue to be advocates for each other.

Our friends brought this wine for us in celebration of my birthday.

How thoughtful.

We are blessed. 

Salvation Through Jesus

God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Today we received these beautiful flowers from our friends.

What a wonderful surprise!

Ben and Susan sent them to thank us for hosting the weekly fellowship group at our house.

Their son Matt stopped by to deliver them.

Now they are gracing our table.

God did not appoint us to suffer wrath.

Rather, God appointed us to receive salvation through Jesus.

Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

 

Put On Faith

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. — 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Yesterday we celebrated Veteran's Day, honoring those who have given their lives for our country.

God calls us to give our lives for Him.

Putting on faith as a breastplate.

Wearing the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Girding ourselves with love.

We belong to the day.

God has called us into the light.

Children of the Light

 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. — 1 Thessalonians 5:5

God calls us children of the light.

Jesus is the true Light of the World.

When we follow Him, we become children of the light.

We become children of the day.

No longer do we belong to the night.

We have escaped from the darkness.

And we have emerged into the light of day.

Thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Praise God!

Encourage One Another

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. — 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

During this time of anxiety and divisiveness, it's easy to get caught up in our own world.

I find myself defending my position and not listening to those who feel differently.

But God calls us to encourage each other.

Even if we disagree.

Especially with our enemies.

And to do it with His Word.

What a concept!

Help me, Lord, to obey You.

God Says It; I Believe It

"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. — Isaiah 1:18

Monday night I met Abby at the YMCA pool in La Jolla for a swim after work.

The lane I was supposed to use was already occupied by a mother and daughter so the lifeguard had them move.

Abby and I had our own lanes right next to each other.

The water was really warm, even though the air was cool.

It was fun to swim together.

Then we came home to our church's congregational meeting online.

Kirk was nominated and elected to be an elder.

Abby was nominated and elected to be a deacon. 

I got to vote "yes" for both!

God has washed our sins white as snow.

What a blessing to get to serve Him.

God Will Come Down from Heaven

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 

Yesterday was rainy and cold in the morning.

Today is the same.

Abby and I went over to the YMCA to swim and ran to the outdoor check-in desk, getting quite wet.

When we got to the pool, the sun came out!

The water was warmer than usual, and felt really good after the cool air.

While we swam, it drizzled a bit and then the sun came out again.

Very refreshing swim.

God himself will come down from heaven in the last day.

We don't know when that will be.

So we live our lives each day for Him.

With His guidance and help, we can overcome setbacks and obstacles.

He leads us through the dark times and into the sun.

According to the Lord's Word

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.— 1 Thessalonians 4:13

My coworkers surprised me with cake, a fruit tart, flowers, and cards yesterday in celebration of my birthday.

Kirk prepared a delicious dinner for us and our friends brought some amazing wines to celebrate.

Today our church choir sang "Happy Birthday" to me before our service.

I received lots of birthday texts and wishes.

God has blessed me.

Jesus Died and Rose Again

We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. — 1 Thessalonians 4:14

Jesus is our Savior.

He died and rose again for us.

So we believe that God will bring us with Jesus.

And God will bring with Jesus those who have died in Him.

One day we will live in heaven with our Savior.

In the meantime, we will tell others about Him so they, too, can join us there.

 

Mind Your Own Business

You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody, — 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

It's hard to mind our own business when things around us seem to be in disarray.

At the same time, God calls us to mind our own business.

He asks us to work with our hands.

So that our daily life may win the respect of others.

And so we will not dependent on anybody.

Instead, we will work hard and mind our own business.

Here we are at the top of Pyles Peak in October - our 6 mile hike.

Thanks to Kellie for arranging this hike for us.

 

Love All of God's Family

And in fact, you do love all of God’s family. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. — 1 Thessalonians 4:10

We are part of God's family.

He urges us to love all people everywhere.

And to do so more and more.

To make it our ambition to lead a quiet life.

How can I do that when I want the attention and the focus to be on me?

Here's our hiking group celebrating Anne's birthday with cake pops at the top of Pyles Peak.

God asks me to focus on Him instead.

Help me, Lord, to obey You.

Love Each Other

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. — 1 Thessalonians 4:9

Halloween night we put candy on our courtyard table so children could help themselves.

Kirk lit a fire in the firepit and propped open our gate to welcome them.

Abby and Kirk watched from the living room as the children entered our courtyard.

Then they wished them "Happy Halloween" and the children called back, "Happy Halloween."

One girl told her little brother, "The sign says to take 2 so just two!"

Lots of parents came dressed up, too.

We had about 25 children, which was a lot for our neighborhood. 

I got home from church in time to see the last few.

They were very kind and loving to each other and very happy to have candy!

Live a Holy Life

God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. — 1 Thessalonians 4:7

How hard is that?

God calls us to live a holy life.

Not to be impure.

But we naturally are sinful and impure.

It is already November.

Where did the year go?

 

Live to Please God

Brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. — 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Today is All Saints Day, when we remember those loved ones who have gone before us.

My mom, Joyce Morong Turner,

My dad, Jet Elton Turner,

Kirk's mom, Rita Kindlespire Rogers

Kirk's dad, Gary John Rogers,

My Aunt Barbara Hawkins

My Aunt Diedree Morong

Kirk's cousin LeAnn Selzer,

Kirk's uncle Dale Rogers

and our grandparents:

Jesse and Lillian Turner

Carroll Oscar and Marion Morong

Sil and Mildred Kindlespire

Lucille Klein

My great-aunt, Lucinda Mattinson

Her dad, my great-grandpa Pappy, William Mattinson, and many others. 

We are thankful for their lives and their faith.