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!

Our Ruler and Shepherd

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. — Matthew 2:6

It's Friday the 13th, but what a beautiful way to begin the day and end the week.

Here's our Crape Myrtle tree, changing colors.

One of the few signs of autumn in San Diego.

And, of course, it's winter!

But we're a bit behind.

The people of Bethlehem had no idea that Jesus, our ruler and shepherd would come out of that town.

As we move toward Christmas, we also celebrate God's creation.

Thank, You, Lord!

God Sent His Son

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. — Galatians 4:4-5

My brothers are adopted.

They came to our house right after they were born, and my sister and I had the pleasure of babysitting them, feeding them, changing them, etc.

Now they are grown men, still part of our family.

Here's Tim with his jag.

God has adopted me into His family.

Jesus was born and died to redeem me.

The law convicts me of my sin, and Jesus paid the price for my sin by dying on the cross.

He came alive again and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.

He redeems me - one under the law so I can be adopted into His family.

The New Creation Has Come

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Now that we are in Christ, we are a new creation.

Our old lives have gone.

The new life in Christ has come.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to breathe new life in us.

As a result, we no longer need to take out our frustrations on each other.

We can live as God's servants.

And as ambassadors for Jesus.

A new day is breaking.

The old has gone; the new is here!

Grace and Peace to You

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 1:7

The other day a friend and I went for a walk at Mission Trails.

We went down past the dam and back.

The fog was rolling out and the sun began to come up, showing the rock of the hills and mountains around us.

Another reminder of God's creation and His love for us.

We took a dog who got really excited to be outside.

It was a heavy mist, so our hair got wet, and it was rather cold at first.

But the walk helped us warm up and so did our conversation.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father!

Anointed by God

He anointed us,  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. — 2 Corinthians 1:22

God has anointed us by his Spirit.

He has set  his seal of ownership o n  us.

God has put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.

God loves us and has given us his Son, Lord Jesus.

At this time of year, we celebrate His birth.

And we remember His death for us.

Praise Be to God

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. — 2 Corinthians 1:3

Praise be to God!

Today our pastor did the children's sermon and also served communion.

What a blessing that he was feeling well enough to do  that.

God is the Lord of all comfort.

We are thankful.