Each of Us Should Please Our Neighbors

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. — Romans 15:2

We have neighbors who exemplify this verse.

Kirk golfs with one of them regularly.

And I received some fragrant lilies from his wife last month along with a beautiful card of thanks for our friendship.

They are Christians who tied a knot in my prayer quilt that their church made for me while I was undergoing chemotherapy 5 years ago.

And they were surprised to see that the quilt at the front of their church was for their neighbor, me!

Another of our neighbors and close friends put in the request for the quilt.

And our next-door neighbors sent us a beautiful floral arrangement for Thanksgiving to thank Kirk for watching their house, bringing in their trash cans, and picking up any fliers from their walkway.

Now they are getting ready to sell their house.

We've only had two different families live in that home since we moved in.

And the previous couple were wonderful Christian friends who shared their fruit and vegetables and canned goods with us.

She baked delicious rosemary shortbread cookies.

We have been blessed by our neighbors.

And we are praying for another wonderful family to move in once our neighbors sell their home.

Thank You, Lord.

Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. — Hebrews 11:6

Happy May Day!

When I was little, we would pick flower bouquets to leave on our parents' door.

Or we would form paper cones into baskets to hold the flowers and hang them on our neighbor's doorknob.

Our church's school would hold may pole dances to celebrate.

We are thankful for God's creation.

And May signifies the beginning of spring.

Anyone Who Comes to God Must Believe That He Exists

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. — Hebrews 11:6

Happy May Day!

Our roses have started blooming.

And our geraniums are bursting from their pots.

Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists.

Looking at His creation, it's hard to understand how someone can't believe.

Without faith it's impossible to please God.

Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists.

Joy in the Lord

And if you honor [the Lord's day] by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord. — Isaiah 58:13-14]

It is sometimes a challenge to honor the Lord's day each Sabbath.

There are so many other things to distract us from God.

That's why we worship together every Sunday as a family.

It helps ground our week in the Lord.

And helps us focus on our Creator instead of on ourselves.

Sunday morning worship get's us into God's Word.

And gives us a chance to sing praises to the Lord.

And to fellowship in community with others.

And to study His Word together as the body of Christ.

To Please His Neighbor

 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. — Romans 15:2

It is not always easy to please our neighbors.

But that's just what God commands us to do.

Each of us is to please his neighbor.

Even when our neighbor is difficult to get along with.

God asks us to think of the good of our  neighbors.

To do things that will edify them.

To put others before ourselves.

That's easier said than done.

Only with God's help can we reach out in kindness to others.

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.

Approved By God

We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. — 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Today some middle school and high school girls came over for Bible study on our back patio.

We made pumpkin succulent centerpieces.

They turned out great.

We are studying the trickery that Jacob pulled on his brother.

And how God wants us to put others first.

God has entrusted us with the gospel.

We are not trying to please people, but God.

God tests our hearts and asks us to speak His Word.

God Exists

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. —Hebrews 11:6

Abby decorated our kitchen to celebrate Kirk's retirement.

He has been such a strong and faithful leader of our family.

He lives his faith in everything he does.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Kirk has a very strong faith.

He believes that God exists and occasionally teaches our adult Sunday school class to help others believe, too.

We are blessed.

Build Up Others

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. — Romans 15:2

Tonight we host the middle school group of about 15 for the dessert portion of their progressive dinner.

They will have an ugly sweater contest, so we will decorate ugly sweater cookies.

And roast marshmallows for s'mores.

At times it's hard for middle schoolers to build up their neighbors.

They often tear each other down, instead.

This will be good practice for them to be polite, use their manners, and interact with others in a positive way.

We will sign thank-you cards for the parents who are hosting the other parts of the dinner.

And we will especially remember the birth of Lord Jesus at this Christmas season.

We will listen to Christmas carols celebrating His birth and life.

Each of us should please our neighbors, to build them up!