Honor One Another

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. — Romans 12:10 

God commands us to be devoted to one another.

And to treat each other with love.

In addition to honoring our parents, God asks us to honor others.

And to put them above ourselves.

Very difficult to do on our own.

Fortunately, God will guide us.

He will give us wisdom in all situations.

Watch Yourselves

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. — Galatians. 6:1 

Yesterday was National Pie Day.

Here's the apple pie I made for Thanksgiving.

I'll be making it again this weekend.

Just as an apple pie cooling in the window used to tempt the children walking by,

God warns us not to be tempted.

And to restore others gently when they sin.

I hope someone will do that for me when I fall into temptation.

Guard my tongue and my actions Lord, that they will please You.

Saved By Grace

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9 

We have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus.

Nothing we could do ourselves.

It is the gift of God, not from ourselves.

Not by works or anything we can do.

We have nothing to boast in except God and His Son Jesus.

Happy Halloween!

Devote Yourselves to Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. — Colossians 4:2

My sister is good about setting aside time each morning to talk with God in prayer.

I'm better at talking with Him throughout the day.

We decided that these are areas we both need to work on.

I need to spend larger amounts of time alone devoted to prayer.

She needs to remember to pray throughout her day.

Both of us are growing in our prayer lives.

And learning to do His will.

Beginning to devote ourselves to prayer.

Keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Help us, Lord, to follow You.

Devote Yourselves to Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. — Colossians 4:2

Today we gathered together inside our church building for our service.

We had about 90 people, which was really exciting.

Most of us had not been together in one place in over a year.

What a blessing to worship together and sing God's praise.

Our modern worship team combined with our choir section leaders.

The music was wonderful.

Abby and her friend led the children in Kids Worship, leaving before the sermon.

Dave did the tech, arriving early the day after his wife's memorial service.

We celebrated communion together.

And people could still join us on livestream.

We are thankful.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. — Colossians 3:12

Today we think of wearing green.

Clothing ourselves with shamrocks and rainbows.

But God calls us to clothe ourselves in compassion.

To be kind to others.

To practice humility.

Act with gentleness.

Show patience.

A tall order when we face difficulties and stresses of life.

Building Yourselves Up

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. — Jude 1:20

Building ourselves up in the faith is our goal.

And praying continually in the Holy Spirit.

Glorifying and praising God throughout the day.

Giving Him the glory for everything in our lives.

Yesterday I had a chance to pray with a coworker who was going through a hard time.

She is not a Christian and has had some experiences with those who she feels have been very judgmental. 

Even so, she has been very glad that each of her previous jobs has paired her with a Christian friend who has prayed for her.

And she immediately felt a sense of God's calming presence after our prayer together.

Then today she told me that she really felt things had turned around for her, and she thanked me for praying for her.

She later sent me a text of thanks.

Help me, Lord, to continue to pray with and for my friends and family who need to know about You.

Devote Yourselves to Prayer

 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. — Colossians 4:2

God commands us to devote ourselves to prayer.

That's not always easy in the midst of hectic days and business.

We have been studying Philippians where God commands us not to grumble and complain.

That's easier said than done.

It's often the grumbling that slips off my tongue instead of the thankfulness.

But the gorgeous day God gives us is worth giving thanks.

He deserves all thanks and praise.

God asks us to be watchful and thankful.

He deserves all the honor and glory.

Listen to the Word

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. — James 1:22

God tells us that it is not enough to simply listen to His Word.

Our Lord also asks us to do what His word says.

I need to know His word so I can follow and obey it.

Today I made bread - french and sourdough.

We spent the evening swimming and hanging out with friends.

A relaxing day together,

Do What God's Word Says

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. — James 1:22

God asks us to not only listen to Scripture, but also to obey it.

He loves us and wants what is best for us.

We are His children, and he cares for us.

If we just listen to His Word and don't obey it, we are just pretending to follow God.

We are treating Him as if we don't really buy or believe what He tells us.

Obeying is not always easy; in fact, it can be very hard.

God can help me obey His Word when I stay in touch with him and ask Him to guide me.

My Antonia

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. — Romans 6:19

On Thursday, I will meet with my book club on zoom.


After that, we'll have choir via zoom.



The book we are reading is My Antonia by Willa Cather.

It gives an interesting glimpse of Nebraska fields and life on the American prairie.

Willa Cather moved to Nebraska when she was just ten years old.

So she writes this novel with a first-hand look at life in Nebraska in the late 1800s.

Alive in Christ

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. — Romans 6:11

Since Easter, we have been celebrating Jesus' resurrection.

He died but came alive again and now lives in heaven with God.

We have been born again with Christ.

We are dead to sin.

At the same time, we are live to God in Jesus.

What a marvelous mystery!

Because Jesus lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because I know he holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because Christ lives!

God Will Lift You Up

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. — James 4:10

God lifts me up daily.

He gives me the strength to keep going.

And He gives me the wisdom to say encouraging words when I don't have the words to say.

He continues to bless me and our family in so many ways.

Here is Kirk with our friend Rudy at Thanksgiving five years ago.

Rudy is also a cancer survivor and is doing really well after his radiation treatment.

He continues to grow stronger and get his appetite and his strength back more each week.

Very similar to me. 

On this day of my birthday, I am very grateful.

God has blessed us!