Grow Up in Your Salvation

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:2-3 

Like newborn babies, God creates us to crave spiritual milk.

When we are fed spiritually, we are able to grow.

And to mature in our salvation.

We have tasted that the Lord is good..

And we are blessed.

Crave Pure Spiritual Milk

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:2-3 

We have tasted that the Lord is good.

We have seen the majesty of His glory.

And He commands us to crave pure spiritual milk.

To crave His Word and to cherish it.

So that by it we can grow up in our salvation.

And walk in His ways.

And follow Him all the days of our life.

God Covers the Sky With Clouds

[God] covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. — Psalm 147:8

God's creation tells us of His love for us.

It shouts to us His power and might.

The world around us displays the Lord's majesty.

And it shows me that I am loved and cared for.

And created for a purpose.

He covers the sky with clouds.

He supplies the earth with rain 

And His rain makes the grass grow on the hills.

He give me exactly what I need so I can grow, too.

Crave Pure Spiritual Milk

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:2-3

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Just a newborn craves milk, God calls us to crave pure spiritual food.

Milk that will nourish our souls.

So that by it we  may grow up in our salvation.

Now that we have tasted that the Lord is good.

Why Do You Worry

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  — Matthew 6:28-29

Yesterday we celebrated 37 years of marriage with dinner at Antica Trattoria.

Kirk got me a gorgeous orchid.

And we had a chocolate lava cake for dessert.

Yum!

We are blessed beyond measure.

God has taken care of us.

We have no need to worry.

And even when times are stressful, God has taken our hands and led us on.

Speaking the Truth in Love

Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15

Just as our flowers have grown over the past season,

We are to grow up in Christ.

Since He is the head.

And to grow up in all aspects of our lives.

And part of growing up is learning how to speak the truth in love

Rather than out of malice or anger.

Exhibiting beauty on the inside and out.

The beauty of Jesus shining through our lives.

Speaking the Truth in Love

 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15

This week I have my second covid vaccine.

Most of my friends and coworkers have had at least one.

Some are scheduled to have their first very soon.

I see this as a sign of spreading love to our neighbors. 

Not only does the vaccine protect me, it also protects those who are vulnerable or who cannot get the vaccine due to health issues.

I am hopeful that we can have an 80% participation rate to protect those around us.

And to prevent the spread of even worse variants that are now infecting those who have no protection.

Speaking the truth in love by our actions, to show our neighbors that we care for them.

The Lord Is Good

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  — 1 Peter 2:2-3

Once we start to follow Jesus as our Savior, we hopefully don't stop there.

Instead, we crave spiritual food and God's Word.

Like a newborn baby, we are only ready for spiritual milk.

When we get a small taste of His goodness, we want more.

We start to crave it.

We want to grow closer to Him so that He can help us grow.

And even though we're still sinners and we fall away, God helps us grow up in our salvation.

Yesterday we had a memorial service for my friend Sheri's mom.

She was an elder in our church and others, and she worked to help people grow in their knowledge of God.

Our hearts go out to Sheri and her family in the unexpected loss of her mom, Elizabeth.

 

Happy Birthday, Victoria!

[God] makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. — Psalm 104:14-15

Today is my niece Victoria's birthday!

She visited us from Vienna last summer and we had a chance to meet her boyfriend, Max.

We had such a great time together, they are hoping to return in the summer of 2021 again.

Our guest room is at the ready!

Here she is on the top right next to Abby.

Max is just below her next to Kirk and Cameron.

We are thankful for family.

God makes the grass grow for the cattle and plants for us to cultivate.

He brings forth food from the earth.

The Lord gives us wine to gladden our hearts and oil to make our faces shine.

He also gives us bread to sustain our hearts.

God is great, and He gives us everything we need.

Happy Birthday, Victoria!

Trusting in God

God, you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. — Psalm 22:3-5

Today I attended Social Media Marketing World for my company. It was held the San Diego Convention Center. 

I met some very friendly writers, bloggers, social media specialists, content creators, videographers, coaches, marketing strategists and vendors. 

I even met an entrepreneur from Louisiana, where I lived during high school. We reflected on the laid-back attitude and slower pace of life there.

Although there were many different tracks at this conference, those attending were all there to learn more about their fields and to grow in their areas of specialty.

I realize that God wants me to grow, too. He has a wonderful plan for my life, and He wants to guide me to take part in His plan. He wants me to trust that He knows what He's doing and I don't.

Just as my ancestors put their trust in God, I'm learning to do the same. It's hard to do, and I'm not always very good at it. Even so, God hasn't given up on me.

Thank you, Lord, that when I cried out, you saved me!