Live Out the Truth

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. — 1 John 1:6 

If we claim to have fellowship with God, we can no longer walk in darkness.

If we do, we lie to ourselves.

And we do not live out the truth.

If we walk in the light, we live out the truth.

And we show others how to do the same.

Here's a bridge view over Palm Desert leading to the area where we stayed.

The mountains in the background were especially clear this day.

God Is Light

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. — 1 John 1:5 

This is the message we have heard from God and declare to others.

God is light.

In Him there is no darkness at all.

One day last week we headed over to this pool.

We arrived about 9:05 in the morning, and we had the whole pool (three of them, actually) to ourselves.

I went over to another pool to swim laps while Kirk and Abby enjoyed floating around this one.

God is good.

This We Proclaim

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. — 1 John 1:1 

While in Palm Desert, Abby got this sunrise photo one morning on an early walk.

I love the reflection of the Palm trees in the water.

And the pinks and blues of the clouds.

It reminds me of God's creation.

That which we have seen with our eyes.

Which we have looked at and our hands have touched.

This we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

That Jesus is Lord and lives in heaven.

Walk in the Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7

Last week we were in Palm Desert with friends.

This is the view from our condo living room.

Kirk moved his recliner so he looked out on this view of the golf course each day.

We got some great photos of the sunrises.

A reminder that if we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.

And the blood of Jesus, God's Son, purifies us from all sin.

To God Be Glory

To him [God] be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. — Ephesians 3:21

I praise God this morning as we head out to worship Him at church.

To Him be glory in the church, which is the body of Christ.

To our Lord be glory in Christ Jesus.

Lord, help us to pass Your Word on to the generations before us.

May you be glorified for ever and ever!

Amen. So be it!

His Power Is At Work Within Us

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. — Ephesians 3:20

God is able to do much more than I can imagine.

He is able to do immeasurably more than I even think of asking.

According to His power.

His Holy Spirit is at work within me.

And His glory fills the earth.

Here's the view of the pool where Abby and I swim several times a week.

This time of year, we don't usually stay late enough for the sunsets, but we enjoy the view of the sky and the feel of the water.

We get to celebrate God's glory as we swim.

The Gift of God's Grace

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. — Ephesians 3:7

I am a servant of the gospel of Christ.

Through the mentorship and love of my mom, I received the gift of God's grace.

Grace given to me through the working of God's power in me.

And through the saving blood of His Son Jesus.

I am grateful, undeserving, and humbled.

Here's our friend Mike being blessed and inducted as a subdeacon at his Antiochian Orthodox church.