Worship into the Week- Turn and Live

 

Worship into the Week-

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Turn and Live

There was a popular saying among the Israelites 

who were exiled in Babylon. 

They were innocent and did not have blame 

for the sins of their ancestors.

The proverb say that parents have eaten sour grapes,

and the children have the sour taste also.

It became an excuse for their behavior 

and the shedding of any accountability.

God states that "the soul that sins shall die."

Each generation must live with their own blame

 in the present and not any inherited wrong doing.

The people claimed then that God 

was not fair and not just.

A pretty mighty accusation of GOD!

His response questions about who is unjust.

If there is a righteous person who becomes evil, 

they will die for their wicked ways.

If a wicked person turns away from sin-

 they will live.

God hands out grace with a call to repentance.

Repent, turn back,

change your direction.

God does not desire the death of anyone.

 He seeks to welcome them when they have 

"a new heart and a new spirit."

What a generous opportunity He gives-

 turn and live.

Supplies:

Worship into the Week Printables

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Magazine cut outs

Distress inks

Vintage postage stamps

Colored pencils

Calendar Journaling- September 2026

 Calendar Journaling- September 2026

Four colored pencils.

A devotional book.

A phrase each day as

a take-away

on a calendar page.

This month reading:

 1 Timothy and

2 Timothy.

I still love adding to my Word Log List. 

It is part of my prayer experiment of 

my Grab Three prayer journal.

Looking at words that set up a 

simple prayer practice each day.

Learning along the way to 

Live Life as Prayer.

Worship into the Week- Seek the Lord

 Worship into the Week- 

Seek the Lord    Isaiah 55:6-9

There is an urgent plea here to seek the Lord

"while you can find Him."

A call for repentance is given and the life-giving trust

 in who God is in our lives.

 He operates with abundant mercy and this frames the outcry.

But, we can't take this grace as unlimited or for granted.

We are limited in our thinking. 

 God can't be boxed in by our capacity to understand.

He is boundless, forgiving and transcends all human capacity.

We are called out to change our ways- return.

We are laid out before him seeking mercy.

But just as heaven is higher than the earth, 

so are the ways of God compared to human thinking.

There is an abundance to God's forgiveness that  

circles outside of our logic and framing of the world.

We just aren't in the same plane of 

comprehending the world.

Oh, I give thanks for that!

Someone much more powerful than me 

is in charge of the whole wide world.

Thank you, Lord!

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

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Magazine cutouts

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Distress ink

Colored pencils

Business envelope Doo-dad

Greece- Santorini

 

On our trips to Greece for the Footsteps of Paul tours 

we have been able to visit Santorini three times.

The flowers are always gorgeous on this iconic island.

May is a beautiful time to visit.

The blue roofs and white buildings stand out

 on this beautifully kept part of Greece.

Vacation rentals abound 

and our time here is always too short.

Just hanging out on a side street.

The water is as blue as the painted roofs.

We have a little spot where we like to sit 

and look out at the water and the boats.

                                                                                                                        online photo

The cruise ships arrive in the area known as the caldera.

The Santorini caldera is a large, mostly submerged

 volcanic hollow located in the southern Aegean Sea, 

120 kilometers north of Crete. 

A caldera is a large cauldron-like opening

that forms shortly after the emptying 

of a magma chamber in a volcanic eruption.

A series of large eruptions occured long ago,

 but the catastrophic event in 1600 BC  (Minoan eruption)

 is believed to have formed the current formation.

Small tender boats ferry you in to the docks.

A bus takes you up the curvy road 

you can see on the above photo.

Getting to the top is a part of the Santorini experinece.

The 2026 tour was a blessing to have 

many friends along including Keith and Jenny Long.

 A wait is needed to get through the streets 

to this view in the village.

Oia is the world-famous cliffside village 

on the northwestern tip of this Greek island. 

It is known for the whitewashed 

cave buildings and blue architecture. 

The beautiful sunsets are worth the view. 

Often seen from the bus on the way back 

to the dock and the tender boats.

A bit other-worldly in the view at the close of the day.

Till next time.

Worship into the Week- Meant for Good

 Worship into the Week-Genesis 50:15-21

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

Jacob returns to Egypt after the burial of his father.

Now his brothers are fearful for their future.

They remember their deeds.

They expect payback.

They ask for forgiveness and throw themselves at his feet.

Joseph responds, "Don't be afraid of me. 

Am I God, that I can punish you? 

You intended to harm me, 

but God intended it all for good. 

He brought me to this position

 so I could save the lives of many people. 

No, don't be afraid. 

I will continue to take care of you and your children."

Every word of forgiveness comes

 only as a gift from God.

The pain caused by another person

 does not need to determine our future.

Remember who the ultimate judge is in the world.

Vengeance and payback don't belong.

When we remember all the hurts done to us, 

we "try" people over and over 

in the courtroom of our hearts.

It is time to dismiss the cases.

Only God sits on the bema seat of judgment.

He freely gives mercy for us.

We can't ever undo a sin.

Christ stood as the condemned one.

He reaches out to us his hand of great mercy, 

that we may extend it to others.

Forgiveness is a continuing act of return

 to Christ over and over again.

Remember- this gift is for YOU- for ME.

                                         Vicar Jung

Supplies:

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Distress ink

Worship into the Week- Israel's Watchman

 

Worship into the Week-

Ezekiel 33:7-9  Ezekiel as Israel's Watchman

God appoints the prophet Ekekiel as a "spiritual watchman".

 His job was to warn the people that their choices and sin 

had consequences. 

This was the beginning of the mapping out

 a plan of accountability.

As ancient cities used guards on the towers

 to look for danger,

so was Ezekiel to spot the impending challenge.

He was to share God's words 

with the people and warn them.

If he fails to warn them, 

then Ezekiel is responsible for the damage

 if they die in their sins.

Silence does not release him 

from the guilt of their failure.

But, if he warns them and they don't take heed, 

he is not at fault.

Once you know- you know.

So, we too must heed the warnings 

for obedience in God's Word.

We know the right way is to follow Jesus

and obey God's direction in our lives.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

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Magazine cutouts

Mr. Pen Fineliners

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Japanese markers

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Silence Carries Guilt: If God warns that a wicked person faces judgment and Ezekiel fails to speak up, the wicked person dies in their sin, but God holds Ezekiel responsible for their blood. [1, 2]

Hudson is 6!

 

Our camo guy is now six!

He is very particular about all the pieces

 and is always ready to go.

Back to school and celebrate a birthday- that's fun.

Made a bird house with Papa 

and dad helped with the finishing touches.

Nothing stops a celebration- 

even with no electricity from a storm.

(for 40 hours)

The proud craftsman!!!

Celebrating with brothers is always special.

Here's mom. She is often taking the photos 

so we don't always get her in a picture.

Hey Dad! What a surprise- a new bike.

So some creativity found places to celebrate 

when the electiricty is down.

Finding ice cream is always a winner 

with Grandpa and Grandma Meier.

We love you much dear Hudson.

You are on to a great year of ruling as Mr. 6!