Holy and Dearly Loved People

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

We are God's chosen people.

He loves us.

He makes us holy through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

God calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion.

And to put on kindness.

He commands us to be humble. 

He humbles us when we start to get proud.

The Lord shows us gentleness and mercy.

And He calls us to be gentle and merciful to others.

God is patient with me and asks me to be patient with those around me.

You Are a Holy Nation

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

Today we hiked the 7 bridges of San Diego.

Just six of us showed up, but it was a gorgeous day.

And we had a fun time walking around various neighborhoods and over some fun bridges.

Plus getting to catch up and chat with friends old and new.

Walking by homes of some of our church members.

Ending in the rose garden at Balboa Park.

And then getting a picture by the fountain.

We are God's special possession.

Gifted to declare His praise.

He has called us out of darkness.

Into His wonderful light!

The Way of Faithfulness

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. — Psalm 119:30 

God's way is not always the easy route.

Nevertheless, Joshua chose it and asked his countrymen to decide whether or not to follow it.

The psalmist says he has chosen the way of faithfulness.

Help me, Lord, to choose the same.

And to set my heart on your laws.

Thank You, Lord!

The Hope of Glory

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. — Colossians 1:26-27 

Christ is in us, the hope of glory.

God has chosen to make known His glorious riches among the the world.

Jesus is the one we proclaim.

So we may present everyone fully mature in Christ,

That everyone may come to know Him fully.

Into God's Wonderful Light

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

God has chosen us.

We are His people, a royal priesthood.

And a holy nation, God's special possession.

Today we helped Abby move into her new apartment.

It's up near UTC, right across from a park.

With two other really nice girls.

She got things organized and moved in to her new home.

We declare God's praises.

He has called us out of darkness and into His wonderful light.

Holy and Dearly Loved

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12 

I am chosen by God.

As one of His chosen people, I am dearly loved.

God wants me to become holy.

He shows me how to clothe myself with compassion.

And to put on humility, gentleness, patience, and kindness.

Help me, Lord.

A Royal Priesthood

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

On Friday, my wonderful coworkers took me out to lunch.

Here we are at UTC - most of our marketing team plus a friend who drove over from another building to join us.

A beautiful afternoon in sunny San Diego.

God has blessed me with fun coworkers who enjoy having a good time together.

We are a royal priesthood, a chosen people.

As Christians, we are a holy nation, God's special possession.

Called to declare His praises!

The Way of Faithfulness

 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. — Isaiah 119:20

God is the way of faithfulness.

His laws guide my life.

His Word is true and right.

He knows what's best for me.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness.

I have set my heart on God's laws.

He is the light to my path. 

Here's the Plumeria plant that we got from Mary and Gary.

A great example of God's creation.

 

 I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. — Isaiah 41:9b

God has chosen me.

He has called me by name.

I am His, and He has not rejected me, in spite of my sin.

I keep missing the mark, but He keeps hanging on to me, correcting me, and bringing me back to His side.

Here is the view from our room in Palm Desert.

This is the golf course where Kirk golfed during our stay.

Even at 6:00 a.m., it was already 90º outside.

As one of our friends mentioned, this beautiful scenery reminds us of God's presence.

It is comforting to know that He is with us wherever we go.

He has chosen us!

God's Special Possession

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

God calls us his chosen people.

We are a royal priesthood.

And a holy nation.

He has chosen us as His special possession.

Called to declare His praises.

He has called me out of darkness.

And He has called me into His wonderful light.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

Today we think of wearing green.

Clothing ourselves with shamrocks and rainbows.

But God calls us to clothe ourselves in compassion.

To be kind to others.

To practice humility.

Act with gentleness.

Show patience.

A tall order when we face difficulties and stresses of life.

Put on Love

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. — Colossians 3:14 The Message

God asks us to put on love every day, just as we put on clothes for the day ahead.

When we put on His Fruit of the Spirit, He helps us get through the day with contentment.

God chose us for this new life of love.

He gives us the wardrobe we need to succeed at life.

Kindness, quiet strength, self-disciplines, humility.

These are not easy to come by.

It is only with God's help that we can get dressed and ready to face the day ahead.

God Has Chosen You

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.  — 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Thursday we celebrated Liz's birthday.

Today we celebrate Dave's and Susan's.

They came over Wednesday night so we celebrated with brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Friday was Alex's last day with our company as she moves on to a start-up.

Lots of transitions this week.

God has chosen each person.

The Gospel came to Liz, Susan, and Dave not simply with words, but also wtih power.

The Holy Spirit is working within each of them.

Thank you, Lord.

The Purpose of His Will

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. — Ephesians 1:11-12

In Christ, we were chosen.

God has worked out everything according to His will and plan.

He works out everything to conform with the purpose of His will.

God does this in order that we might live for the praise of His glory.

We put our hope in Christ.

He is the author and perfecter of our faith.

This is June Lake, one of God's creations.

I am one of His creations, too.

And I am grateful.

God's Servant

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. — Isaiah 41:9

For the past few days we have been shellacking our completed puzzles.


When they're dry, we can hang them in our garage along with the one Kirk and I finished years ago.



Here's the one that reminds us of the trip Abby and I took to San Francisco in February.

So glad we had a chance to do that together before the shelter in place began.

We had a great time and are looking forward to our next trip together.



Hopefully all three of us will be heading to Palm Desert for a week in July.

God called us from wherever we were.

He calls us servants.

He has chosen us.

We are blessed.

God's Chosen People

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

We are chosen by God, His chosen people.

He loves us dearly.

He calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness.

We are to put on humility and gentleness.

And we are to practice patience.

This is the sunset I saw on the way home Monday night.

The clouds were amazing.

Beautiful.

God Called Us

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. — Isaiah 41:9

God took me from the depths of despair and darkness.

He called me by name.

And brought me into the light of His grace.

He has chosen me to be His servant.

I am not rejected by Him, even when I fail Him.

Today Abby is sick, and she feels miserable.

Kirk and I are sad that we cannot take away her pain and sickness.

With rest she will feel better soon, but she has not been able to sleep.

We call out to God for healing and restoration.

God's Special Possession

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. — 1 Peter 2:9

God has chosen us as His holy nation.

We are a royal priesthood.

We are a chosen people,

And God's special possession.

He created the mountains and hills, the oceans and rivers for our pleasure.