Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:9-10

This morning, on the day before Christmas Eve, there is a lot to get done. Cleaning, cooking, last minute runs to the grocery store, gift wrapping, packing for our quick trip to see the grandkids in Florida.

Then for Rebekah there are all the details for church tomorrow – morning and evening, including writing the all important Christmas Eve message for our new community.

So I am going to use today’s post to share a “catch up” of random photos from the past ten days, from Rebekah staring down an enormous pizza over in Farmville, to opening gifts, to getting to know the children, to the beautiful skies you will only see if you walk the dog early enough in the day, to this (above) classic “Christmas Cracker hat” image from a wonderful dinner with new friends Friday evening.

One of the many serendipities of this move to Tarboro has been – and will continue to be – the many new (and instantly deep) relationships we are forming.

We knew we would enjoy this church, we were sure we would love its people, and we were confident this new town would be a great experience – mostly because we came here with wide open hearts, expecting all these things to be true if only we invested ourselves without reservation. The surprise – the serendipity – has been A) how quickly we have fallen for this place, and B) how instantly generous and open-hearted the people have been (and how unreservedly open they are to accept us as real friends).

Again, the wisdom shared with me by Rebekah’s mother – and the most consistent advice we always give to young ministers and their spouses – rings clear and true: Love God with your whole heart; love each other with your whole heart; love the church – love the people – with your whole heart. If you love a church… a community… it will love you back.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.