Love is in the air! Otto asked me last week what I wanted to do for Valentine's Day this year, and after thinking about it for, oh maybe 2 seconds I told him I wanted to go camping and take the boat out. Two things I LOVE to do with the man I LOVE.
Okay, so today on my way to work I heard this new song by Newworldson on klove (positive and encouraging music) and the first words are... "You say love is just a word, just four letters in a row" and then later in the song.... "But if love became a man, if the word had flesh and bone. Would you recognize His face, if He came to bring you home."
Before I go on, some of you may already know this, but I am a big fan of music. It is an inspiration and a coping mechanism that I have been able to use throughout my life. I really get into the music and listen to the lyrics, especially if they are about something I may be struggling with or need direction, and it helps me get through some tough times.
Now, back to Otto's valentine question. If you notice in my response to him I used the word love twice, once to describe something I take pleasure in, camping and boating, and second to describe an affection for my husband.
But this song talks about a different kind of love, one that is 'flesh and bone'. An actual being that is love, and that love being hope and a lifeline. God sent His only son to be love to the world. And folks, a lot of the time we miss this love. We forget that we can reach out to this love at any time or place, and that the love that Jesus has for us is available 24/7 whenever we need it!
Just talking about it reminds me of another song "looking for love in all the wrong places", haven't we all done that? Yep, guilty as charged!
I really like this song because it reminds me that Jesus is love, and that we won't find the love we need from other people, places or things, not the kind He has and is for us. He will be there and we are never alone, there is no love here on earth that will satisfy the kind of love Jesus is. And, just like the song describes, "just like a hand that's waiting for you. And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone."
"There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way."
Wednesday, January 20
Thursday, January 14
Love Your Brother
“If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
1 John 4:20-21
Here's my brother Tony - I love you! Okay, so God isn't talking about my 'blood' brother, but all my brothers - I get it now.....
BTW, cute pic Tony!
Anyway, sometimes it is hard to love our brothers and sisters because of the behavior they display, or the way they look or think, which may be different than us. In living my life for Christ, I must include all my brothers and sisters, but how can I reach out, what should I do, how can I show love when there are so many people in need?
I am reminded of this story.
Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.
As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"
Maybe I can't make a difference in a ton of lives, but I can try and make a difference in the lives whose paths I cross daily - and to those that are closest to me. I can adjust my attitude and behavior to reflect God's love and not be cross or unhappy. I can smile and let the little things go and enjoy life and the company of others. I can give my clothes to the homeless, I can help out someone on the street by giving them a buck or two. There is plenty I can do, and if I help just one person, if I make just one person smile than I believe I am loving my brother!
1 John 4:20-21
BTW, cute pic Tony!
Anyway, sometimes it is hard to love our brothers and sisters because of the behavior they display, or the way they look or think, which may be different than us. In living my life for Christ, I must include all my brothers and sisters, but how can I reach out, what should I do, how can I show love when there are so many people in need?
I am reminded of this story.
Once a man was walking along a beach. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Off in the distance he could see a person going back and forth between the surf's edge and and the beach. Back and forth this person went. As the man approached he could see that there were hundreds of starfish stranded on the sand as the result of the natural action of the tide.
The man was stuck by the the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.
As he came up to the person he said, "You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can't possibly make a difference." The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and pick up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, "It sure made a difference to that one!"
Maybe I can't make a difference in a ton of lives, but I can try and make a difference in the lives whose paths I cross daily - and to those that are closest to me. I can adjust my attitude and behavior to reflect God's love and not be cross or unhappy. I can smile and let the little things go and enjoy life and the company of others. I can give my clothes to the homeless, I can help out someone on the street by giving them a buck or two. There is plenty I can do, and if I help just one person, if I make just one person smile than I believe I am loving my brother!
Friday, January 8
Bible Babes
We celebrated the season and end of our current study with a 'spirit-filled' potluck (no lists or sign-ups, just bring whatever the spirit moves you to) and gift exchange at Margie's house. Much to our delight, what a wonderful surprise it was when after dinner, Margie sat at the piano and Mary pulled out her violin and began to play Christmas music! What a blessing these two women were that night, encouraging us to join in and sing carols. They played beautifully, with no practice together at all! We definitely gave them a standing O at the end! 
Faith, Hope and Love (Fede, Speranza, Amore)
Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love ~ Corinthians 13:13
J recently got a tattoo of these three words in Italian, on his inner bicep - a tribute to his heritage, I guess, but more importantly a commitment to the words.. faith, hope and love. Three very strong words, pulled from Corinthians, with meaning so deep and passionate. Webster defines them:
In Corinthians, Jesus is telling us that the greatest of these is love, a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. The others are evident and not to be taken lightly, but love is the most important because it is an action, something we do outwardly for another. We have faith and hope, but we need to give love.
How can we do this? Well, as you may have read in an earlier post, I am on a journey to please God. I want to love my brothers and sisters as Jesus did - all of them. He didn't command us only to love those that treat us well, dress nicely and are in our close-knit circle of friends. Our love is great enough for those close to us, and those we may not want to get close to. We need to share our love with all our neighbors alike, the poorly dressed woman at the market, or the driver in the car in front of us going 60 on the freeway, the neighbor and their barking dog!
In reflecting on the words, faith, hope and love I am inspired to have faith in others, to hope for the best and to love all of God's children, unconditionally.
J recently got a tattoo of these three words in Italian, on his inner bicep - a tribute to his heritage, I guess, but more importantly a commitment to the words.. faith, hope and love. Three very strong words, pulled from Corinthians, with meaning so deep and passionate. Webster defines them:
faith - the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.
hope - to believe, desire, or trust
love - a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person
In Corinthians, Jesus is telling us that the greatest of these is love, a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. The others are evident and not to be taken lightly, but love is the most important because it is an action, something we do outwardly for another. We have faith and hope, but we need to give love.
How can we do this? Well, as you may have read in an earlier post, I am on a journey to please God. I want to love my brothers and sisters as Jesus did - all of them. He didn't command us only to love those that treat us well, dress nicely and are in our close-knit circle of friends. Our love is great enough for those close to us, and those we may not want to get close to. We need to share our love with all our neighbors alike, the poorly dressed woman at the market, or the driver in the car in front of us going 60 on the freeway, the neighbor and their barking dog!
In reflecting on the words, faith, hope and love I am inspired to have faith in others, to hope for the best and to love all of God's children, unconditionally.
Monday, January 4
Some Pics
Christmas Eve at Sandi and Blaine's, love this pic of all the girls laughing during the picture taking. and then on the flip side, the guys (way too serious!)
New Year - New You
Welcome Twenty-10!
I guess this is how we will address the new year! I heard it on the news, read it on other blogs so here's to 2010!
What is new about you this year? 1 John 3:22 says...." and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
Tuesday, December 29
2010 and F-I-F-T-Y
Well, on Thursday at midnight, we will all ring in a brand new year and I will be 50. I was given an early present this past weekend in a gift bag that said "Fifty, the new F word". I, for one, am not at all worried, depressed or consumed with turning fifty and even less concerned about saying it! It is a cute gift bag anyway!I've been thinking.......how do we address this new year? Should we say ohh-10, or just '10 or should we say 2010? Thoughts anyone?
What about resolutions? Does anyone make them anymore? I guess, more importantly does anyone keep them anymore?
And another thing......what the heck is a Zhu Zhu?
What happened to all the "God" billboards, I really liked 'em?
Just my thoughts for this last Tuesday of 2009!
Tuesday, December 15
Why?
This week has brought tragedy to a family in Fullerton..... one of Kayla's friends disappeared and hasn't been seen or heard from since 1:30 pm Saturday afternoon. Kayla wrote on FB.... "its times like these when i just have to ask God why? please give me the strength :/ praying for James"
I guess it's natural to ask "why" when something like this happens, but I was impressed by Kayla's ability to ask God for strength as well as praying! All too often we find ourselves asking God why and even cursing Him, but not taking action and praying. I was also encouraged by the youth, specifically, James' friends gathering together and supporting the family by passing out flyers and just being there.
There is a rosary scheduled this evening at St. Jude's in Fullerton at 7:00 p.m. PST, please let's all pray together that James is found safe.
I guess it's natural to ask "why" when something like this happens, but I was impressed by Kayla's ability to ask God for strength as well as praying! All too often we find ourselves asking God why and even cursing Him, but not taking action and praying. I was also encouraged by the youth, specifically, James' friends gathering together and supporting the family by passing out flyers and just being there.
There is a rosary scheduled this evening at St. Jude's in Fullerton at 7:00 p.m. PST, please let's all pray together that James is found safe.
Thursday, December 10
The Reason for the Season
Well, I have been absent in the posting arena for awhile (at least with my thoughts, opinions, etc), so as I jump back on the horse and throw my two cents into the ring let's talk about Advent.
Advent is a time of preparation, preparing our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Love delivered in the form of a baby child named Jesus.
Just as we would prepare our home for any guest, we should be examining our hearts, minds and will. Are we ready to have this visitor be a guest in our 'home'?
We all get really busy this time of year with all the Christmas hype at the store, commercials on TV and kids 'can Santa bring me this toy?', but let's keep in mind why we are doing all this.
A friend of mine posted the busy-ness of Martha and the flip side, calmness of Mary. Leanna posted about losing the true meaning of Christmas in all the hype, and a co-worker blogged about a 'simplier Christmas' (excerpt: My wish for all of us this season is that we are able to slow down, live healthier, live more “in the moment” as my colleague so aptly aspires, and to cherish what we have rather than what we would hope to have. We can start by not letting the season complicate our lives, but rather simplify them so I figure it's a topic that is on everyone's mind).
So, what is it that we should do? Well, I believe it is different for everyone, but most importantly, let's keep Christ in Christmas - HE truly is the reason for the season!
Advent is a time of preparation, preparing our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Love delivered in the form of a baby child named Jesus.Just as we would prepare our home for any guest, we should be examining our hearts, minds and will. Are we ready to have this visitor be a guest in our 'home'?
We all get really busy this time of year with all the Christmas hype at the store, commercials on TV and kids 'can Santa bring me this toy?', but let's keep in mind why we are doing all this.
A friend of mine posted the busy-ness of Martha and the flip side, calmness of Mary. Leanna posted about losing the true meaning of Christmas in all the hype, and a co-worker blogged about a 'simplier Christmas' (excerpt: My wish for all of us this season is that we are able to slow down, live healthier, live more “in the moment” as my colleague so aptly aspires, and to cherish what we have rather than what we would hope to have. We can start by not letting the season complicate our lives, but rather simplify them so I figure it's a topic that is on everyone's mind).
So, what is it that we should do? Well, I believe it is different for everyone, but most importantly, let's keep Christ in Christmas - HE truly is the reason for the season!
Monday, December 7
Wedded Bliss
We attended the wedding of a friend's daughter this past Saturday, and couldn't get over how incredibly happy and totally in love with each other the couple seemed to be. When you saw the groom gaze into his bride's eyes, you knew this couple was meant to be together. I know, because, my hubby of 32 years has that same look. How I remember that look, the one that drew me in, to my now husband and then boyfriend. That look is still the same, it is the look that says "I can see deep into your soul, I know you and I love you!" It is the look that says, "no matter where we are and what our circumstances I will always love you". It is amazing and crazy that after all these years he still has that look and he gives it only to me, his bride of 32 years! I cherish and pray that the look remains forever for us as well as for the couple whose union we witnessed on Saturday!
This picture with John Jaques is from J and Corynn's wedding five years ago.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)