Well, I’d like to say that it’s good to be back after two way-too-short weeks at the beach.  But honestly, it was hard to leave the beach.  Very little relaxes me more than getting a little sand in my sandwich, letting that cold Diet Coke get warm, and finding the spots I missed with the sunscreen.  Not to mention how wonderful the twelve-and-a-half-hour drive home was.  While all of that is true, we actually had a great time, and the rhythm of the ocean surf really does relax me.

But we are back and we’re diving (I was going to say ‘surfing’, but I don’t surf, and I just couldn’t make ‘boogie-boarding' work), so we’ll be diving into our passage, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, with special attention given to the last phrase, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”   Well, this is one of those commands that never goes away.  You can’t give or receive too much encouragement.  And some of you excel at obeying this command.  I’m often encouraged just by hanging out with you.

And if the verse stopped with “encourage one another,” we’d be all set.  We know how to do that.  But it ends with “encourage one another with these words.”  What words?  Are there special “encouragement” words we’re supposed to be using?  Why yes, yes there are.  And that’s what we’re going to talk about this Sunday (well, I’m going to talk — you’re going to listen — I hope).  God’s command to “encourage one another” comes with specific instructions.  So, let’s figure it out together so we can all excel at this grace of encouragement.  See you Sunday, Dr. Dave

PS – We could really use some more volunteers in our nursery.  Please let know Katie Meckstroth know if you’re able to serve in this way.  It’s a lighter burden for everyone when we have more people serving.  Thanks.