We need to love and see people the way that Jesus sees
and yes...even our enemies.
Jesus loves unconditionally;
that is the way love is suppose to be.
Yet, far too often our love is criteria based-
and then in a certain box someone is placed.
We make it so hard for people to rise above-
when our Heavenly Father pours out on us, nothing but abundant love.
So when we share love, when others we view-
we must always remember: they are a creation of God too!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
plans...
When we see all the impossibilities in front of us...God sees a perfect plan ahead of us." - Christina Gail
Reading Karen Kingsbury's newest book Loving (the fourth book in the Bailey Flanigan series), I have just been reminded of God's perfect plans and perfect timing. Her books always leave me challenged, encouraged, praying...and crying! Her characters are people I just want to sit down and have lunch with, talk with, enjoy time with, and learn from! I promise she must have a camera in my house and see what I go through, because every time I pick up one of her books, it speaks to my heart and soul; it is exactly what I need to hear! These moments I know are divine appointments from God himself, a God who loves me and cares about me enough to plan perfect moments when His love is shown to me in such amazing and creative ways that I fall deeper in love with Him each time. She may not have a camera into my heart, but my God does. He knows me by name, He knows my every thought, and He knows what I need, when I need it. He has perfect plans and perfect timing!
The confusion throughout the journey is not where my focus needs to lie..but my eyes need to stay on the Savior; trusting that even when the path is clouded with circumstances, His vision is perfectly clear! He can guide me through the thickest, steepest, hardest, most challenging parts along the hike. He will get me to where He wants me to be and I will be right on time.
'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11)
Reading Karen Kingsbury's newest book Loving (the fourth book in the Bailey Flanigan series), I have just been reminded of God's perfect plans and perfect timing. Her books always leave me challenged, encouraged, praying...and crying! Her characters are people I just want to sit down and have lunch with, talk with, enjoy time with, and learn from! I promise she must have a camera in my house and see what I go through, because every time I pick up one of her books, it speaks to my heart and soul; it is exactly what I need to hear! These moments I know are divine appointments from God himself, a God who loves me and cares about me enough to plan perfect moments when His love is shown to me in such amazing and creative ways that I fall deeper in love with Him each time. She may not have a camera into my heart, but my God does. He knows me by name, He knows my every thought, and He knows what I need, when I need it. He has perfect plans and perfect timing!
The confusion throughout the journey is not where my focus needs to lie..but my eyes need to stay on the Savior; trusting that even when the path is clouded with circumstances, His vision is perfectly clear! He can guide me through the thickest, steepest, hardest, most challenging parts along the hike. He will get me to where He wants me to be and I will be right on time.
'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11)
Monday, April 9, 2012
Captions
It may be because I have been teaching my students about text features, it may be because I was just reading and part of the story was talking about paparazzi capturing pictures of a couple and writing lies for tabloids, or it may be just because I have been thinking about my reaction to things, but whatever the reason....I have been thinking a lot about what my life captions may read.
If someone were snapping constant pictures of my life...what would the images portray? What would the captions say?
Would they read: "Frustrated mom yells at precious boys", "Overwhelmed single mom drags herself through life barely able to hang on", "Exhausted and stressed lady on rampage", Judgement hypocrite preaches the word, but forgets to share love to all", "Insecure, lonely lady holds head down in shame of past regrets", "Negative Nancy strikes again!" "Worried and worn, she stumbles on all obstacles", "Christian caught on camera with a face of discontent for all the blessings that have been lavished upon her, that somehow never seem to add up to being good enough?", "Mother far too busy too focus on the pleading child next to her that is begging for love and time". Is this what the actions and expressions of my life exhibit?
I am afraid to answer....
I am so thankful for the grace and love of Christ that forgives me, teaches me, guides me, renews me, and sets my feet on the right path no matter how many times I stumble. And this is what I know and strive towards:
We as Christians are to reflect the image of Christ, lets see what He says we should show in our life,
"And he began to teach them.
He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:2-10 (Sermon on the Mount)
This is just a small portion of the many wonderful, powerful words from Jesus and the truths in the Bible that show how we are to react to life, how we are to live, how we are to love...
I want my life to show Christ. I pray I daily draw closer to Him in order to learn more about Him, draw closer to Him, and truly reflect His joy, His peace, His strength, His wisdom, and His love.
I want my life to reflect Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." I want my life to show 1 Corinthians 13, "Love is patient, love is kind...". I want my life to illustrate Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in all things with thanksgiving, present your request to God and let the peace of God which transcends all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
I created this for fun, thinking of the idea of captions, but it is the precious joy...and just plain goofiness of my boys that remind me of the joy of the Lord and how our lives should reflect that joy. These boys really know how to make me laugh, and inspire me to shine even brighter for Jesus as I am suppose to be a light for them and it is my job as a mother to disciple them. So I ask myself, what does my life show them, these awesome, lovable boys?
If someone were snapping constant pictures of my life...what would the images portray? What would the captions say?
Would they read: "Frustrated mom yells at precious boys", "Overwhelmed single mom drags herself through life barely able to hang on", "Exhausted and stressed lady on rampage", Judgement hypocrite preaches the word, but forgets to share love to all", "Insecure, lonely lady holds head down in shame of past regrets", "Negative Nancy strikes again!" "Worried and worn, she stumbles on all obstacles", "Christian caught on camera with a face of discontent for all the blessings that have been lavished upon her, that somehow never seem to add up to being good enough?", "Mother far too busy too focus on the pleading child next to her that is begging for love and time". Is this what the actions and expressions of my life exhibit?
I am afraid to answer....
I am so thankful for the grace and love of Christ that forgives me, teaches me, guides me, renews me, and sets my feet on the right path no matter how many times I stumble. And this is what I know and strive towards:
We as Christians are to reflect the image of Christ, lets see what He says we should show in our life,
"And he began to teach them.
He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:2-10 (Sermon on the Mount)
This is just a small portion of the many wonderful, powerful words from Jesus and the truths in the Bible that show how we are to react to life, how we are to live, how we are to love...
I want my life to show Christ. I pray I daily draw closer to Him in order to learn more about Him, draw closer to Him, and truly reflect His joy, His peace, His strength, His wisdom, and His love.
I want my life to reflect Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." I want my life to show 1 Corinthians 13, "Love is patient, love is kind...". I want my life to illustrate Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in all things with thanksgiving, present your request to God and let the peace of God which transcends all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
I created this for fun, thinking of the idea of captions, but it is the precious joy...and just plain goofiness of my boys that remind me of the joy of the Lord and how our lives should reflect that joy. These boys really know how to make me laugh, and inspire me to shine even brighter for Jesus as I am suppose to be a light for them and it is my job as a mother to disciple them. So I ask myself, what does my life show them, these awesome, lovable boys?
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