Beloved Children

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. — Ephesians 5:1-2

It is not always easy to walk in love when we are around people who are mean or rude or disrespectful.

We are beloved children of God.

Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.

He is a fragrant offering and a pleasing sacrifice for us.

He is a sacrifice to God.

We are blessed.

Worship God, the Creator

Worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of water. — Revelation 14:7

God created the heavens,

the earth,

the sea,

people, animals, birds, fish,

plants and trees,

fountains of water.

We are thankful for beautiful days when we see butterflies flying around our Cassia Gold tree.

And the for the sun shining down on us, giving us vitamin D.

Yesterday I hiked down Mission Trails with some friends before church. 

It was really cold when we started, but it was also a beautiful morning.

Praise be to the Lord!

Sing a New Song

I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpers playing on their harps, and they sing a new song before the throne. — Revelation 14:2-3

Saturday our choir came over to our house for a potluck.

The sun was out, and the day was gorgeous. 

We left our tree up for one last party.

The choir members brought amazingly tasty food.

And we had a fun time of fellowship.

Between 30 and 40 people squeezed into our home.

After we ate, we had a chance to sing together, practicing our songs for next week's church service.

Kirk turned on the firepit, and some sat around it, enjoying the beautiful flames. 

We sang praises to God.

One day we will sing before him in heaven.

The harpers play on their harps and sing a new song before God's throne.

Love Kindness

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  — Micah 6:8

 

God has shown us what is good.

 

He is perfect and good Himself.

He does not ask us to give Him sacrifices or offerings.

Rather, He asks us to do justice.

To love kindness.

To walk humbly with God.

God's Grace Has Appeared

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world. — Titus 2:11-12

I am thankful for God's grace in my life.

And for Jesus, His son, who died for my salvation.

We are surrounded by wonderful Christian friends and family who help guide us in our walk with Him.

On New Years Eve we celebrated with some of them.

I am overwhelmed with blessings.

The Knowledge of God

The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. — Isaiah 11:9

Happy New Year!

As we begin a new year, I am reminded of God's love for us.

He created the heavens and the earth.

And He created me and my family.

I have no doubt about the fact that God is our creator.

The earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord.

Just as the waters cover the sea.

The Peaceful Kingdom

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. — Isaiah 11:6

In this new year of 2020, we are thanking God for His promises.

We look forward to the time when God's peaceable kingdom will come to fruition.

The wolf will dwell with the lamb.

The leopard will lie down with the kid.

The calf, the lion and the fatling together.

And a little child will lead them.

While people often are unable to keep their promises, God always keeps His promises.

He never failed me yet.

Thank you, Lord, for the new year!