‘In the ancient world, adoption was a practice ordinarily confined to the childless well-to-do. Its subjects, as we said earlier, were not normally infants, as today, but young adults who had shown themselves fit and able to carry on a family name in a worthy way. In this case, however, God adopts us out of free love, not because our character and record show us worthy to bear his name, but despite the fact that they show the very opposite. We are not fit for a place in God’s family; the idea of his loving and exalting us sinners as he loves and has exalted the Lord Jesus sounds ludicrous and wild—yet that, and nothing less than that, is what our adoption means.’

–JI Packer, Knowing God

6) Knowing God by JI Packer.
This has recently been my bedtime read on the kindle. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read it over the years, but each time it’s helped me draw that bit closer to God & stoked my passion to know him better. I will reread this once again soon! pic.twitter.com/V55IX9Ese4

— Jack Griffiths (@JackLGriffiths) March 21, 2023

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The weather is a bit rubbish today to say the least. Some early light in Glastonbury but just constant rain now for hours! pic.twitter.com/J7MNivzRaH

— Michelle Cowbourne (@Glastomichelle) July 30, 2023

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

–Romans 12:9-21

Merveilleux petit havre de paix, Sierre 💖💙💚💖🇨🇭#switzerland #photography #paysage #landscape #photooftheday #nature #lake #reflections #sunrise@MySwitzerland_e @Veronique_Kanel @valaiswallis pic.twitter.com/k9ta2wCG3k

— Délèze Dominique (@DelezeD) July 30, 2023