Love All of God's Family

And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more. — I Thessalonians 4:11 

Paul urged the people of Thessalonica to love all people in God's family.

And to continue to do so more and more.

Tonight I sang with our San Diego Street Choir.

We praised God together and worshiped Him through song.

Our orchestra accompanied the choir.

The choristers were overwhelmed with blessings from the music.

They were so appreciative to have three of us there from our choir.

Sunday we'll have even more.

God urges us to love others more and more.

Help me, Lord, to do just that.

Do Not Worry About Your Life

I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  — Matthew 6:25

Today we got rain, lightning and even hail!

What a surprise after an 81 degree morning in San Diego.

Abby and I skipped our swim date since it was lightning frequently at our house and on my way home from work.

It's still raining several hours later.

This is probably the most rain we've gotten all year.

We didn't even have a chance to bring in our Plumeria plants.

Hopefully they'll survive the weather.

God tells us not to worry.

In fact, He commands it.

One of my coworkers had heart palpitations two weeks ago.

His cardiologist said his heart was fine, but it might have due to stress.

He had given up caffeinated coffee, but was told he could have 2-3 cups per day.

That was wonderful news.

But finding ways to destress will now be the challenge.

God gives us those coping skills in His Word.

Thank You, Lord!

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.

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.

May Your Love Abound

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. — Philippians 1:9-11

I thank God for you, my friends and family, whenever I remember you in my prayers.

And I pray for you, that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and in depth of insight.

I pray that my love will also abound.

That I may be able to discern what is best.

That God will help me to be pure and blameless,

Filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control

And filled with righteousness.

All of this comes through Jesus Christ.

To the glory and praise of God.

Able to Discern What Is Best

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. — Philippians 1:9-10

Today our plumeria began to bloom.

Now we are planning to get another one from our friend Gary.

He has a green thumb when it comes to growing them.

And we are blessed to have been given ours as a gift for Kirk's retirement.

It's beautiful.

And this is my prayer: that your love may grow more and more, just as these flowers are growing.

That your love and mine may about in knowledge and depth.

So that we can discern what is best in God's eyes.

And so that we can be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Thankful, we have a merciful God, our Father.

 

God, Our Mediator

The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. — Galatians 3:19-20

Our friend Mary lost her dad last week.

We are grieving with her.

At the same time, we rejoice that her dad is now in heaven with his wife and with Jesus. 

Even so, it's hard to lose your parents, as we know.

Our friend Lavonne created this beautiful arrangement for her.

The law was given through angels and entrusted to Jesus, our mediator.

A mediator implies more than one.

But God and Jesus are one.

We are grateful.

His Power At Work Within Us

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. — Ephesians 2:20-21

God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

God's power is at work within us.

To God be glory in the church.

And to God be glory in Christ Jesus

God is with us throughout all generations.

To God be the glory for ever and ever.

So be it! Amen.