In Christ, Each Member Belongs to the Others

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. — Romans 12:4-5 

Each of us has one body, created by God.

And each body has many members.

All of those members have different functions.

And they work together in perfect timing, forming one body.

In Christ, the church is one body.

Each of us has devoted our life to Jesus.

And God has a special purpose and function for each.

Together, we work together for God's good.

And each member belongs to the others.

Christ Was Sacrificed Once

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.  — Hebrews 9:28 

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.

By his stripes we are healed.

He will appear again in glory.

This time He won't be coming to bear our sin - He already did that on the cross.

So when he comes again, He will bring salvation to those of us who are waiting for Him.

Jesus, our Lord.

The Lord's Purpose Prevails

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. — Proverbs 19:21    

I have many plans.

But God tells me that His purpose will prevail.

In spite of my plans, God is working His purpose out.

If I'm willing to let Him use me, He will.

If I'm not, He'll simply use someone else.

His purpose will prevail.

Thankfully.

We headed over to Mission Beach for Abby's birthday dinner last month.

This is the shrimp and grits I had for dinner.

With an egg on top.

To Give His Life

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:45

Wednesday night we recorded our Easter service.

It went really well.

The orchestra sounded wonderful.

Judith and Rodney did a great job conducting.

Adam and Dave were able to really get the sound of the choir to come across complementing the brass, winds and strings.

And Jesse Chang accompanied one of the anthems on the piano.

We sang through our masks, and about 20 of us showed up to sing.

What a joyful noise to the Lord!

Simeon Blessed Them

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. — Luke 2:34-35

After Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he blessed His parents.

And he praised God for sending Jesus.

He went on to tell about how God would use Jesus to save the world.

We are grateful that Jesus has filled our hearts with His love.

And that He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide our lives.

And that He has blessed us with wonderful family members who pray for us.

God's Grace

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. — Hebrews 12:15

God's grace covers our sin.

Even so, we need to be vigilant that no bitter root grows  up to cause trouble.

Here's Kirk in the summer of 2008 getting his room ready for fall.

He was teaching U.S. History at Emerald Middle School so he decorated his room with U.S. flags.

Abby and her cousins came with him that day to help him get his bulletin boards set up.

You can see Cameron, Carly, Katie, Maggie, and Michael in this photo.

That was 12 years ago.

This year he cleaned out his classroom for the last time.

Over the past month, he has heard from parents and current and former students and principals about the influence he has had on their lives.

He has received emails, videos and cards letting him know how much they appreciate him.

God has blessed his career as a teacher and will also bless his retirement years.

The Earth Is Full of God's Creatures

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. — Psalm 104:24

God created the earth and filled it with His creatures.

Here's a monkey Abby met when she was in Ghana 7 years ago.

The trees in our yard are filled with birds of all colors and sizes.

And bunnies fill our yard and our park nearby, especially at dusk. 

Lizards run around on our cement patio and our stucco walls.

And snails emerge after the rains and within the ice plant on our bank.

In wisdom God made them all.

He Gave His Life

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. — Matthew 20:28

Jesus came to serve and to give His life for me.

What a blessing.

What grace.

To me, someone completely undeserving.

I made bean soup for our family for lunch yesterday.

Then I made a few more jars of the mix for another day.

We are blessed.

And thankful.