living today in light of that day

living today in light of that day

Friday, November 22, 2013

Ephesians 1:3-23

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Psalm 37 & 27

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
 ...
The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
(Psalm 37:3-7a, 23-24)
 
 
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
 ...
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
(Psalm 27:8-9, 14)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

living today: Changing Seasons


Enjoying this autumn's gorgeous displays of vibrant colors in the sky, trees, and fields as we transition from summer to winter. They're tangible reminders that other seasons of change and unknowns display the beauty of my never-changing and all-knowing God. And like a child gleefully jumping in piles of leaves (weee!), they create opportunity to trustingly and delightfully enjoy every good gift that "comes down from the Father of lights," including sweetly simple and small joys. And guess what? The giver of each of these good things gives me the ultimate gift, which enables and enhances each simple joy: Christ himself!!! 
Pure happiness to let God be God, man be man, and freely work and play like a little kid as your Daddy takes care of everything big and small. 

" 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus." 
"He walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own."

Some fun stuff recently:

Teresa and I made the pastors a meal for belated Pastor Appreciation (Nov 7th)  
Just a sample of the gorgeousness.

Hot Apple Cider over the fire! (Saturday Nov 9)

Recruiting some babysitting help. (Monday Nov 11)

Ahh-mazing pseudo office space for a few minutes on Thursday.

Making Cup Pies (think cupcakes, but pies!) with Erin Friday night then watching Pushing Daisies.
Fun-sized!
Peach Pie Fully Crusted or w/ Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust;
Pumpkin Pie; and Coconut Cream Pie w/ Mandarin Orange Topper

Started building a little StoryTime Kids Corner. Two videos uploaded so far on a YouTube playlist here