Do Not Let Any Unwholesome Talk Come Out of Your Mouth

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. — Ephesians 4:29

Only speak what is helpful to others.

Build them up according to their needs.

That whatever you say may help those who listen.

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.

Do To Others What You Would Have Them Do To You

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. — Matthew 7:12 

In everything, God asks us to think of others.

It's often easier to think of myself first.

And when I do, I forgot to think about those around me.

But God commands me to be thoughtful about my actions.

To treat people as I'd like to be treated.

And to obey His law and His prophets.

Even when it may not be convenient.

And especially when it's not easy.

Carry Each Other's Burdens

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:2 

God commands us to carry each other's burdens.

To pray for each other.

To encourage each other.

And to build each other up.

In this way we fulfill God's will for our lives.

And we fulfill the law of Christ Jesus.

And we show our obedience to God's commands.

These are the flowers that were a centerpiece at the wedding we attended yesterday.

How thoughtful that we got to bring them home.

A reminder of God's beautiful promises to us.

Do Nothing Out of Selfish Ambition

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. — Philippians 2:3-4 

Do nothing out of vain conceit.

Value others above yourselves.

Look to the interests of others.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition.

Another birthday dessert for Abby's 25th!

In Christ, We Form One Body

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 with many members.

These members all have different functions.

In Christ we form one body, even though we are many.

Each member belongs to all the others.

And each is beautiful in its own right.

Just as this Plumeria is beautiful.

God created us for beauty too.

Accept Others

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. — Romans 14:1

God calls us to accept others, whether their faith is weak or strong.

There is no need to quarrel over disputable matters.

But at times we turn insignificant differences into insurmountable obstacles.

Here is my exercise class at the YMCA.

Friday we tried restorative Yoga.

It was a good way to limber up before my hike up Cowles Mountain yesterday.

Help me, Lord, to accept others, just as you do.

Thank you for this diverse world you have created.