Tim - Philemon 1:1-7

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. (Philemon 1:1-7 NIV)

Is it refreshing for others to have you as a friend? Whoa! Good question.
It's important to remember that our life is not our own, we've been bought with a price and we should always live ready to love and serve others. Be kind even when others are not or don't deserve it. Be the kindest!!!

Gina - Hebrews 12:7-11 & Psalm 32

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV)

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord."
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5 NIV)

Well I'm off on the Atlantic Ocean while the family plugs away back in Brighton so they told me to blog for us today.
I'm captivated by the Lord's discipline lately. I'm surprisingly good with it. I'm inviting it in, realizing that it's what saves me from myself. I would not be His true "son" if I did not receive His discipline. Hum? Nice. Although it's painful , ironically it brings peace. It tells me he is near and that He cares. The end result is righteousness and peace - that's beautiful , and that's what I rest in today.
I want to be free from pride including being judgmental and impatient with others faults, I don't want to take more pleasure in spiritual blessing than in God himself, I want to embrace all that the cross stands for and and I want to stop running from what looks impossible. I will confess these things to the Lord and welcome his discipline and forgiveness!!!

I love living in relationship with Jesus.

Livia - Ecc 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV)


God gives us seasons of life. We must patiently wait for the seasons to come along instead of wishing them here and away.

22 years ago today Clare Wessel passed away. Tim's Dad. He was a wonderful that we lost way too early. He would be so proud of his boys and all the grand kids. Talk about a time for everything......we trust you God and look for your sovereign hand I every season of our lives.

Devin - Joshua 1:7-9 and Haggai 2:4

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:7-9 NIV)

But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord. 'Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. (Haggai 2:4 NIV)

Devin encouraged us to be strong in the Lord this morning. Like Mom said yesterday - He is with us so we should take heart and remember that Jesus has overcome this world and nothing is impossible with our God! And if our God is for us, who can be against us??

It's kind of funny. It reminds me of my Mom yelling at me in cross country "be strong Devin! You got this! Stay strong!!!"

Amen and amen!!

Gina - Joshua 1:9

 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

This weekend the Lord has reminded me often that He is with me.  Lately I've felt a bit alone.  Not because my family is not there, or my friends , or my church but because I've found a place of retreat.... and not the good kind.     So as God is gently pulling me out of this place I find truths all around me in His word, from a friend ...telling me that He is for me, He will fight for me.  He loves me.  He will never leave me.

With that, I find renewed strength.  Funny how I'm reminded of my own sermon back in July about the Prodigal son.  I didn't realize then how it would help me now to know what I studied for that day.  I am in a fight with my flesh to either embrace brokenness and vulnerability or stand proud and defensive.  Sounds so easy, but - wow.

When all is said and done, what matter is that my life glorified my God.  That what I live and what I say and what I do reflects the God who saved me, and that others will know Him too and maybe even because they knew me.

It will be my joy to say Your will, Your way!

Kadin - John 6:32-35

Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "always give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:32-35 NIV)

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." (Mark 1:17 NIV)

Our family LOVES to fish. We understand the patience required when waiting for a bite! As we live we must never give up even when it seems they are not "biting" and we look for opportunities to share His love with others.

Livia - Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)
Developing the muscles of your spirit is much like developing your body's muscles. It hurts but the more you do it the better it feels.

Good word Livi-g

Gina - James 2:1,5, 8-9

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. (James 2:1, 5, 8, 9 NIV)


The outside is so easy to judge. None of us know what god knows about people. We must never judge people by the outward appearance.
Besides, who are we to judge at all. For as much as we judge others, god will judge us. That's worth paying attention to.

Devin - Romans 3:19,28-30

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. (Romans 3:19, 28-31 NIV)

When a person stands before God they are judged individually. We should not compare ourselves to others. Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Timothy - Psalm 20:1-7

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests. Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:1-7 NIV)

Today we were shaken with news this morning that one of our uncle Rogers police partners was shot and killed. Could have easily been our uncle roger.

We are thankful for gods protection over uncle roger and we pray for the family who has lost a precious husband and father.

This scripture reminds us to let go and let god lead our lives even when we can't sense that god is there or things look bad.

We trust you Lord !

Kadin - Hebrews 10:24-24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24, 25 NIV)

Keep trying. Don't give up. Sometimes it feels like you are not getting anywhere. Patience is important. Pray for God to show you his will as the church meets and what your part is.

Livia - Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.<sup>[


Livia shared that God knows what's best for us and he allows us to suffer sometimes for the greater good.  
When you are in the storm - do your best to rise above it and ask God to show you the good that He is working.
Hind sight is 20/20 but it sure would be nice to have  a little of it - during !</sup>

What a wise little girl !
 

Gina- Titus 2:6

"In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely in all they do."

Wise means to have knowledge from experience , and then to be wise means to use that wisdom to make good decisions. Exercise good judgement.


Kadin said he could be wise by helping people. Dev said to be careful what you say. Dad said - how you handle information..


For us all.....today let's apply wisdom In all we do!!

Devin - Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?" For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36 NIV)

God is the wisest in all the universe. God knows us and because he is all knowing, nothing confuses him.

We can trust God in all things.