Well, believe it or not, my family is about to embark on a three week roadtrip vacation with some work involved too. So, I am hoping to be able to keep on blogging but it will all depend upon whether I can find some great wireless connections or not. My prayer is that I will not worry or fear, but just be able to relax and enjoy the many unknowns that are involved in time away like this.
Take care my dear readers, and God Bless!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
You Are Loved!
Since Valentines Day is just around the corner I thought there would be no more fitting of a topic than, you know it, LOVE. So many different thoughts, expressions, feelings, and actions accompany this small, yet incredibly important word. Who would have known that 4 small letters could impact the course of someone's life for better or for worse, and have a profound affect on the way we feel about ourselves and others. I thought that you might enjoy reading kids' thoughts about love...some are funny, while others really hit the nail on the head in their observations. Enjoy!
Actual Children answers to the question “What is Love”. Love according to Kids.
“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.You just know that your name is safe in their mouth. Billy – age 4
“Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl – age 5
“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy – age 6
“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.”Terri – age 4 “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sipbefore giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny – age 7
“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss” Emily – age 8
“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby – age 7
“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” Nikka – age 6
“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” Noelle – age 7
“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still> friends even after they know each other so well.” Tommy – age 6
“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.”Cindy – age 8
“My mommy loves me more than anybody.You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.”Clare – age 6
“Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.”Elaine-age 5
“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.”Chris – age 7
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”Mary Ann – age 4
“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” Lauren – age 4
“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint hertoenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”Rebecca- age 8
“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” (what an image)Karen – age 7
“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” Jessica – age 8
"We love because he first loved us." 1John 4:19 Most of all God loves us, and because of that love we have learned to love others. I know most of us also desire to be loved and cherished by another human during this time on earth, and when we find that, in God's time, it truly is a blessing to be guarded and nurtured. I know that I do not always succeed at treating this blessing with the importance that it deserves, and many others can also abuse this gift and thus we become somewhat fearful of it, but it truly is a word with immense meaning behind it. Because of the impact that love has in another person's life, and our own, how important it is to learn how to love from the one who has created it. God's love is perfect, and it casts out all fear, and loves even when we feel undeserving of it. God's love loves everyone at all times. God's perfect love is patient, kind, gentle, and the list goes on. I know that when I spend more time loving God, it spills over into my everyday life. I want to love others more, and what a better place to learn, than from the perfect all loving, God.
Actual Children answers to the question “What is Love”. Love according to Kids.
“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.You just know that your name is safe in their mouth. Billy – age 4
“Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl – age 5
“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy – age 6
“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.”Terri – age 4 “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sipbefore giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny – age 7
“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss” Emily – age 8
“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby – age 7
“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” Nikka – age 6
“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” Noelle – age 7
“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still> friends even after they know each other so well.” Tommy – age 6
“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.”Cindy – age 8
“My mommy loves me more than anybody.You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.”Clare – age 6
“Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.”Elaine-age 5
“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.”Chris – age 7
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”Mary Ann – age 4
“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” Lauren – age 4
“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint hertoenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”Rebecca- age 8
“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” (what an image)Karen – age 7
“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” Jessica – age 8
"We love because he first loved us." 1John 4:19 Most of all God loves us, and because of that love we have learned to love others. I know most of us also desire to be loved and cherished by another human during this time on earth, and when we find that, in God's time, it truly is a blessing to be guarded and nurtured. I know that I do not always succeed at treating this blessing with the importance that it deserves, and many others can also abuse this gift and thus we become somewhat fearful of it, but it truly is a word with immense meaning behind it. Because of the impact that love has in another person's life, and our own, how important it is to learn how to love from the one who has created it. God's love is perfect, and it casts out all fear, and loves even when we feel undeserving of it. God's love loves everyone at all times. God's perfect love is patient, kind, gentle, and the list goes on. I know that when I spend more time loving God, it spills over into my everyday life. I want to love others more, and what a better place to learn, than from the perfect all loving, God.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Elohim - the name for God as our creator
Today I thought I would share part of a writing by Kay Arthur from To Know Him By Name. I found it very uplifting and thought provoking, and I hope it does the same for you.
"David wrote: "For Thou didst form my inward parts;Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought..." Ps. 139:13-15
Have you ever thought of yourself as being fearfully and wonderfully made? Carefully, lovingly designed and constructed by an infinitely and wise God? Or-if you were very honest-do you look at yourself and despise what Elohim has created? The truth is, your face may never grace a magazine cover. You may never be asked to model for a television commercial. You may never feel confident standing before a group giving your testimony. You may not be beautiful or exquisite in the eyes of the world. But I can tell you this, Beloved.....
Your conception, no matter what the circumstances, was no "accident".
You are exactly as Elohim designed you to be.
And that design has a purpose.
And that purpose is to bring God glory.
I have a friend who is probably no more than three feet tall. Her head is of normal size, and to me she is lovely. Yet Julie spends all her days in a sling, much like a baby's walker. In order for her to move anywhere, her legs must push the rolling frame. Julie is radiant, a delight to all who meet her. She knows her Elohim! And she clings to the truth that He created her this way for a purpose. Now, please don't tell me God had nothing to do with her physical condition. If so, I must deny His sovereignty, His Word, and His name.
Why would God create people who are different from His normal pattern of creation? Why would He ever permit a human conception when it would produce what seems to be a genetic disaster? The disciples had the same question in mind when they encountered the man who had been blind from birth. They asked the Lord, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?"(John 9:2) "It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in Him"(John9:3). Oh, Beloved, if you are not happy with yourself...with your past...with your limitations...with the heartbreaking limitations of your child or loved one, run into the strong tower of the name of your Elohim(Proverbs 18:10). You may not understand how your situation could ever bring Him glory, but He doesn't ask or require you to understand. He simply asks you to trust in the name of your Lord.
Can you see how awesome it is to know that you have been created for God's glory? That you are to live in such a way as to give all of creation a correct opinion or estimate of who God is? What does that mean to you, O child of God, who is called by His name? Think about it. How would you live if you were to live for His glory?
You were created for His glory and for His purpose and for His pleasure. Your life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him, to show the world the character of God, His love, His peace, His mercy, His gentleness. You are to live for Him, to accomplish His will. To miss this is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived.
Go before your God and evaluate the course of your life. Are you fulfilling the purpose of your creation? What is keeping you from being or doing what you were created for? What do you need to change? What do you need to do? Will you? Answer these questions honestly in His presence."
"David wrote: "For Thou didst form my inward parts;Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought..." Ps. 139:13-15
Have you ever thought of yourself as being fearfully and wonderfully made? Carefully, lovingly designed and constructed by an infinitely and wise God? Or-if you were very honest-do you look at yourself and despise what Elohim has created? The truth is, your face may never grace a magazine cover. You may never be asked to model for a television commercial. You may never feel confident standing before a group giving your testimony. You may not be beautiful or exquisite in the eyes of the world. But I can tell you this, Beloved.....
Your conception, no matter what the circumstances, was no "accident".
You are exactly as Elohim designed you to be.
And that design has a purpose.
And that purpose is to bring God glory.
I have a friend who is probably no more than three feet tall. Her head is of normal size, and to me she is lovely. Yet Julie spends all her days in a sling, much like a baby's walker. In order for her to move anywhere, her legs must push the rolling frame. Julie is radiant, a delight to all who meet her. She knows her Elohim! And she clings to the truth that He created her this way for a purpose. Now, please don't tell me God had nothing to do with her physical condition. If so, I must deny His sovereignty, His Word, and His name.
Why would God create people who are different from His normal pattern of creation? Why would He ever permit a human conception when it would produce what seems to be a genetic disaster? The disciples had the same question in mind when they encountered the man who had been blind from birth. They asked the Lord, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?"(John 9:2) "It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents, but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in Him"(John9:3). Oh, Beloved, if you are not happy with yourself...with your past...with your limitations...with the heartbreaking limitations of your child or loved one, run into the strong tower of the name of your Elohim(Proverbs 18:10). You may not understand how your situation could ever bring Him glory, but He doesn't ask or require you to understand. He simply asks you to trust in the name of your Lord.
Can you see how awesome it is to know that you have been created for God's glory? That you are to live in such a way as to give all of creation a correct opinion or estimate of who God is? What does that mean to you, O child of God, who is called by His name? Think about it. How would you live if you were to live for His glory?
You were created for His glory and for His purpose and for His pleasure. Your life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him, to show the world the character of God, His love, His peace, His mercy, His gentleness. You are to live for Him, to accomplish His will. To miss this is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived.
Go before your God and evaluate the course of your life. Are you fulfilling the purpose of your creation? What is keeping you from being or doing what you were created for? What do you need to change? What do you need to do? Will you? Answer these questions honestly in His presence."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
What's Your Value?
When you think of things that are valuable, what comes to mind? I am sure that each of us can think of many things, yet they are going to vary depending upon our differing walks of life. For most, I am sure that the first thing that came to your mind was not your own self. Yet we are each of great value!
Value=the quality of anything which renders it desirable or useful. It could also be stated as excellence of character or quality/importance. I think it is the nature of humans to respond with what they are not when questioned about their own personal value. From an outsiders perspective they could say that you are valuable because you feed, clothe, and maintain your family and all of your belongings. They might also think of your value in terms of how you treat others, and the things that you do. I think that we should dig a little deeper, and see just what makes us valuable as the created being that we are.
1John 3:1 tells us that we are children of God. Since God is the Kings of Kings, that would make us princes and princesses....we are God's royalty. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be royalty, just focus on who you are in Christ and then you can find out for yourself what true royalty feels like! 1Cor. 6:19 tells us that once we have a relationship with Christ that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. God lives in us! Think on that a moment....The Almighty God that he is, dwells in us. I pray that as we grow in understanding of what that is, we are able to esteem ourselves the way we should as a temple of the Holy Spirit. I am not suggesting we become prideful in ourselves, but rather that we walk tall and confident knowing that God created us with great value to be an outreach of himself to the world around us. In the beginning of Romans chapter 12 more of our value is revealed. We as children of God were created each with a different set of gifts that are of great worth. When we use our gifts as God desires us to, we join with other believers and are able to work together efficiently. Without all of our unique gifts, the work just would not be complete. We are royalty, we are a dwelling place for the King of Kings, and we have unique gifts that are of great importance in the kingdom of God. But that is not all.....I have saved the best for last!
How many of us would think that we are so valuable that someone should lose their life just for the sake of ours? That has already taken place! Let us not forget John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God allowed the death of his only son so that we would have the opportunity to have a life that is not only as abundant as can be, but life everlasting. Enjoy this day remembering that you are of great value in the eyes of the One who created you!
Value=the quality of anything which renders it desirable or useful. It could also be stated as excellence of character or quality/importance. I think it is the nature of humans to respond with what they are not when questioned about their own personal value. From an outsiders perspective they could say that you are valuable because you feed, clothe, and maintain your family and all of your belongings. They might also think of your value in terms of how you treat others, and the things that you do. I think that we should dig a little deeper, and see just what makes us valuable as the created being that we are.
1John 3:1 tells us that we are children of God. Since God is the Kings of Kings, that would make us princes and princesses....we are God's royalty. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be royalty, just focus on who you are in Christ and then you can find out for yourself what true royalty feels like! 1Cor. 6:19 tells us that once we have a relationship with Christ that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. God lives in us! Think on that a moment....The Almighty God that he is, dwells in us. I pray that as we grow in understanding of what that is, we are able to esteem ourselves the way we should as a temple of the Holy Spirit. I am not suggesting we become prideful in ourselves, but rather that we walk tall and confident knowing that God created us with great value to be an outreach of himself to the world around us. In the beginning of Romans chapter 12 more of our value is revealed. We as children of God were created each with a different set of gifts that are of great worth. When we use our gifts as God desires us to, we join with other believers and are able to work together efficiently. Without all of our unique gifts, the work just would not be complete. We are royalty, we are a dwelling place for the King of Kings, and we have unique gifts that are of great importance in the kingdom of God. But that is not all.....I have saved the best for last!
How many of us would think that we are so valuable that someone should lose their life just for the sake of ours? That has already taken place! Let us not forget John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God allowed the death of his only son so that we would have the opportunity to have a life that is not only as abundant as can be, but life everlasting. Enjoy this day remembering that you are of great value in the eyes of the One who created you!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)