Like Next of Kin...

Last night's supper; roasted vegetables, pulled pork and coleslaw!
(Buns, not pictured, were available for those who preferred pulled pork on a bun.)
 
I love the happiness that happens at meal-time when everyone is hungry!
Oh, how much we have to be thankful for! It reminds us of what we are here for, right?!
Not to over-indulge if we are blessed enough to entertain that thought...
but to live soberly and righteously in the present age/world,
where to whom much is given much will be required.
(For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.
It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, 
and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 
as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance
of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.…
Titus 2:11-13

The chords of a love song the Lord composed and wove within

Makes all of us together feel kind of like next of kin

For though we are like strangers living continents apart

We have so much in common in the matters of the heart

Man’s struggle to survive is this world’s universal quest

Where we all need each other to succeed and be our best

God gives to some to give to those who have no bread to share

(No one is more or less deserving of Mercy’s kind care )

My dear, we are all fearfully and wonderfully made

Though shapes, shades, sizes vary as the bloom that gilds the glade

We, oh, so very diff’rent are so much the same as well

Where hope-hurt-hunger-wonder tolls a keen and kindred bell

We all face challenges, oh yes, this is the way of life

We all need to kneel at the cross to gain eternal life

We all want to be loved; we all need to learn how to love

And all who trust the hand of God will find his grace enough

Who doesn’t like a hearty feast of food and fellowship

Who doesn’t need a hand to hold so our feet won’t slip

And who of us forever finds contentment all alone

Where there is so much more to us than forms of skin and bone

Time takes its toll until all that is left of you and me

Is living soul; for none can annul immortality

Then pray we make our calling sure in He who gave His all

Today is the day of salvation; pray we heed His call

Let’s live as though we’ve met before on some shore left behind

Make a collective effort to be more gracious and kind

Let’s live out the Great Love Song that our dear Lord wove within

So when we meet on yonder shore we’ll feel like next of kin

© Janet Martin

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5

On Sunday our church family enjoyed a meal cooked by kind, willing people

to be enjoyed along with an opportunity to help fund

a week of kid's camp in Eucuador!

When we got the report this week that thanks to the funds raised we/they

are able to bring many kids to camp,

suddenly Ecuadorians felt a bit like family!