Be Patient Toward All

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. — 1 Thessalonians 5:13 

Abby and I had a fun time at the beach on Friday.

We probably stayed in the water at least 45 minutes, it was so warm.

Then we walked along the beach and took time for a selfie.

I wore my big hat so I wouldn't get burned.

God's Word urges us to comfort those who are discouraged.

To help the weak.

And to be patient toward everyone.

Patience is a virtue, but it's also hard to do consistently.

So when Paul urged the people of Thessalonica to be patient, he know they would need God's help to make it happen.

Just as we need His help today.

Let the Message of Christ Dwell Among You

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. — Colossians 3:16

Today we celebrate the first day of Advent.

Our Jewish friends celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.

Both prepare us for the coming of Jesus.

We set up our nativity yesterday.

A fitting reminder of the season.

And of God's gift to us — His Son, our Lord Jesus.

Singing to God with gratitude in our hearts for his precious gift.

Full of Goodness

And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. — Romans 15:14

I have some friends like this.

Full of goodness.

Filled with knowledge.

Walking in the light of God's love.

Able to admonish me and others in love.

And I appreciate that kind of friend very much.

I feel that God has sent them into our lives for a special purpose.

And they have walked with me through my journey with cancer.

Singing to God

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. — Colossians 3:16

The message of Christ is eternal life.

We love singing psalms and songs from the Spirit.

God has given us the voice to sing his praise. 

Through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.

Singing to God with gratitude in our hearts.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.

With all wisdom as we teach and admonish one another.

The sunflower is a great example of God's love shining on us.

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.