Christian Families

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. -Romans 12:1-2, 9-18   I finally got around to watching the royal wedding that I had recorded.  It was beautiful, of course.  I was amused, though by all the hats worn by the ladies.  The Brits sure do love their hats!  If you are familiar with Monte Python, you might remember their skit on "The Ministry of Silly Hats."  Some of those hats at the wedding were pretty silly!  But all in all, it was a grand event.  I was curious as to what the scripture readings would be.  It was the passage above.  What a wonderful choice! Not just for a future king and his wife, but for any husband and wife beginning their life's journey together.   What would our families be like today if we had always been joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer?  How would our marriages have been different if our love was alway sincere and we hated what was evil and clung to what was good, honoring one another over ourselves?   And how would the world be different today if all married couples practiced these things and taught their children to practice these things and we all  blessed those who persecuted us instead of cursing them...  If we rejoiced with those who rejoice; mourned with those who mourn and lived in harmony with one another and if we were not proud, but willing to associate with people of low position?   These are the things we should strive for in our own lives and in our families.  If all Christians tried to practice them, Chrisitanity would win the respect and admiration of the world and do the job of evangelism for us.   Father, What a wonderful and useful passage from scripture!  May we all cut and paste it into our hearts as we live our daily lives.  Amen.   Joys:  Picking strawberries with Cecelia; meeting Joey and Susan's baby and getting to hold and snuggle him;  after 2 1/2 years of telling Cecelia she's my "precious girl," having her snuggle into my lap and say, "I'm your precious girl, Kaymee!"... indeed...