Devo for today

December 28, 2010


Just a Little Heart Cleaning

T. Suzanne Eller



"So iIf you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God."



Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)



Devotion:

Yesterday I swept the mahogany wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn't even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.





I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn't say something. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn't seem to be big enough at the moment.





I've heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, "Jesus forgave, why don't you?" The reality is it's often an uneven journey for us as we accept His grace, learn from, and strive to live out His example.





The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it's not something that we just stumble into. It takes a purposeful choice to move beyond the restrictive burdens of bitterness, anger, and other unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.





Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed already, and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understood the joy and freedom that come through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff with my friend tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.





Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9:2, NLT) Isn't it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man's heart before attending to his physical body?





Jesus hasn't changed. He still sees to the heart. He sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life's challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, and invite Him into the process.





Maybe you too are dealing with hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn't mean that abuse can continue, or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to follow Jesus' example, and to live life free of entanglements to the past.





Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." As I talked, broom-in-hand, with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. My perspective on the incident with my friend changed.





Yesterday my house got cleaned, and so did my heart.

Merry CHRISTmas

Merry CHRISTmas!

Proverbs 18:8

By Charles Kimball

Who am I? I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cruel and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I'm nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and ruin marriages. I destroy careers and cause heartache and sleepless nights. I wreck churches and separate Christians. I spawn suspicion and generate grief, make innocent people cry on their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am gossip.

to read the entire sermon go to http://www.preaching.com/sermons/11565825/

This has been an issue that I have tried to make clear in my relationships and have had accountability for, for many many years. Satan gets more and more sneaky to let it creep into your life without you realizing it....So again, Im back at studying this and what the bible says about Gossip. Im so not where the bible says I should be. I wish that we women would clearly understand this......We dont.....LOL.......I say women cux we primarly are the ones who do it.......Signed, me, someone who has been affected by gossip and who has participated in gossip even without realizing it.......Lord help me to walk away from gossip situations and to recognize when it is there.......

Ahhhhh

A good book and yummy hot tea!

Not meant to fight alone.........

How true this has been for me to have Godly woman speak into my life and encourage me in my walk with God on the high calling of wifehood and motherhood. Without them and their help I'd be discouraged and defeated and tempted to take the easy route.....we'll Im still tempted lol..........but surrounding myself with like mined woman and having those close relationships has made the journey easier.......those of you that have done this for me, THank you, and you know who you are! keep fighting the good fight, encourage one another and build each other up........



November 23, 2010




A Little Help from Friends



Melanie Chitwood







"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset."



Exodus 17:12 (NIV)







Devotion:

It had been a challenging year for our family. Opening a new business, extended family issues, a series of health challenges, writing a book, and daily life with newly-turned teenagers were some of the stressors we experienced.







One evening, feeling especially weary and desperate for support, I drove to my friend Holly's house to vent. I plopped on the couch, put my head in my hands, and announced, "I just don't think I can do this." Without missing a beat, her husband Dan said, "That's why you need your friends this year."







How true. We were never meant to deal with stress, discouragement, pain, or just a hard day with the kids on our own. God created us to need encouragement from each other, especially during hard times.







Today's key verse shows how Moses, just like us, needed support. While Joshua and the Israelite soldiers battled the Amalekites, God asked Moses to hold up his staff, representing God's power, throughout the battle. As long as Moses kept the staff raised, the Israelites experienced victory. It was a long battle, however, and Moses dropped his arms in fatigue. Then the Israelites began losing the battle.



That's when Moses needed help and encouragement from his friends. Scripture explains, "When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset" (Exodus 17:12, NIV).







The Israelites ultimately were victorious, and a key to their victory was Moses' obedience to God as he held up the staff. But he couldn't have done what God asked him to do without the help of Aaron and Hur.







In the same way over the past couple of years I've needed my friends to hold me up, so I can be the wife, mother and woman God has called me to be. Friends have listened, prayed and helped me with practical matters of everyday life. Their support has given me courage to press on, to remain hopeful, and to find strength in them and the Lord.







Just like Aaron and Hur did for Moses, my friends have held up my hands and lifted my heart so I can be obedient to God's call on my life. We all need the help of faithful friends.

My status right now,,,,,,,,

Caramel brulee IS BACK! so yummy!

Show me the way OH Lord! and you alone.

November 18, 2010
The Formula
Lysa TerKeurst


"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2a (NIV)

Devotion:
When I was a young mom, I was desperate for a formula. I truly thought there must be a formula I could plug my family into that would yield great kids. And there were plenty of moms that tried to convince me they had the formula.

"Bottle feed and never let them sleep in your bed."

"Breastfeed until they are 3 and give them the security of sleeping between you and your husband every night."

"Don't ever send them to pre-school. It will be detrimental to their social development."

"Send them to pre-school right away - it's crucial for their social development."

"TV is good."

"TV is bad."

"They must read by age 5."

"Let them take their time learning to read. You'll ruin their love for books if you force them."

"Step in and model healthy conflict resolution when they argue with their siblings."

"Let them handle things on their own."

"Be there 24/7 for your kids."

"Don't be a helicopter mom. Give your kids room to discover who they are without you hovering over them."

Seriously, it's a wonder we moms figure anything out with all the conflicting information and advice we get. I spent the first five years of motherhood convinced I was messing my kids up beyond repair. And it wasn't for lack of trying. Heavens no. I was serious about gathering every morsel of information I could and trying with all my might to decode "the formula."

Well, here's the deal. I now have kids ranging in ages from 22 to 11 and this is my very best advice in regards to the formula. There isn't one.

There is no perfect parenting formula. What works for one kid may not work for another. The seemingly perfect algorithm one family follows could be disastrous for another.

We weren't made to follow formulas. We were made to follow Jesus. Period.

This is true with parenting but it's also true with every other aspect of our lives as well. We were made to follow Jesus' lead in our marriages, our jobs, our ministries, our churches, our friendships, our everything.

In Romans 12:2 Paul so powerfully reminds us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

We weren't made to be robotic followers of this world's formulas. We were made to be transformed into the unique person God appointed to fulfill the assignments set before us. So, on a practical level what does this look like?

It's a simple woman who humbly acknowledges how much she doesn't know about life and readily admits how much she needs Jesus. Not just in spiritual sense...this woman needs Jesus in every way. All throughout her day, she can be heard whispering heart-felt pleas to her Jesus saying, "Show me the way, show me the way, show me the way."

And as she does this, she loosens her grip on all the formulas thrown at her and courageously embraces His gentle voice behind her saying, "This is the way, now walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

Dear Lord, help me to follow You and You alone - not a pre-planned formula. Help me to see that I need You more than anything today. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Envy

I needed to want God more than have friendships, he finally blessed me with Local friends.....:) But my envy doesnt stop there, There are seasons of my life I have envied this or that, With Putting God first I can overcome!



When Someone Else Gets What We Want
Nicole Whitacre and Carolyn Mahaney
Nicole: What do we do with a good, yet unfulfilled longing that won't go away? First, we thank God that by His mercy we desire one of His good gifts.

However, we must also regulate our desires. We must not love or long for one of God's good gifts more than we love or long for God Himself. If we do, then we have essentially made an idol out of this good desire and we are worshipping it instead of God. As teacher David Powlison paraphrases the eminent John Calvin: "The evil in our desires often lies not in what we want but that we want it too much."

One sure indicator as to whether or not a good desire has morphed into an idol is how we respond when someone else gets the very thing that we want but don't have. When a close friend—who was perfectly happy to be single—up and gets married, and we are, literally, left behind. Or when, as is the case for a friend of mine, we know five other girls who are pregnant and we are not.

And what about the woman who gets married younger than us, whose job is more glamorous than ours, whose house is bigger than ours, whose marriage is better than ours, whose life is easier than ours, whose children are more well-behaved than ours, whose popularity is brighter than ours, whose intelligence is greater than ours? Need I go on?

Envy is a sin common to women. But do we always see it for the rancid evil that it is? Several months ago, I found myself envying another woman's happiness. My husband encouraged me to study the topic of envy, and gave me some material to read. In the course of my study, the following string of thoughts by Cornelius Plantinga hit me straight between the eyes. Buckle your seat belt, for these are hard, yet necessary words.

"What an envier wants is not, first of all, what another has; what an envier wants is for another not to have it...The envier has empty hands and therefore wants to empty the hands of the envied. Envy, moreover, carries overtones of personal resentment; an envier resents not only somebody else's blessing but also the one who has been blessed" (emphasis mine).

Upon reading those words, I didn't want to admit that was me, that what I actually wanted was to empty someone else's hands. But that was the truth of it. A good desire gone bad is often characterized by these wicked motives.

No wonder Scripture commands us to "Put away all...envy!" (1 Pet. 2:1) What wretched women we are! And yet, as Paul exclaims, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:25) We who have repented of our sins and put our trust in Christ are no longer bound by the sin of envy. We can receive forgiveness and cleansing and grace to change—grace to truly rejoice with those who have been blessed!

How do we get there? Mom will share a biblical strategy for overcoming envy.

A Battle Plan for Fighting Envy

Carolyn: "So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good....Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul (1 Peter 2:1-3, 11; emphasis mine).



Article Page Break Here
Nicole helped us take a good hard look at the sin of envy in our hearts. Today, I want to encourage us to do battle against this "passion of the flesh." As I Peter 2:11 tells us, envy is already waging war against our soul—the question is whether or not we are going to fight back!

Here is a simple (not easy mind you) yet effective strategy for going on the offensive against envy:

1. Pray daily for the person we are tempted to envy. Persistent envy can be overcome with persistent prayer. We will find it is very difficult to go on envying someone for whom we are regularly asking God to bless and prosper.

2. Study and meditate on God's Word. We should direct our spiritual study to better understand and mortify the sin of envy. Let's consider verses such as Psalm 73, Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 23:7, I Corinthians 13, Galatians 5, and 1 Peter 2 and many more. Also, I want to highly recommend one of Jonathan Edwards's sermons on envy which you can read online here.

3. Eagerly rejoice with and reach out to the one we are tempted to envy. The temptation to withdraw and avoid—in order to spare ourselves pain—is simply selfishness. Therefore, we need to purpose not to withdraw relationally. Isolation in heart and action will only become a hotbed for bitterness and resentment to flourish.

When we put this battle plan into action, do you know what will happen? We will, gradually, over time, weaken the sin of envy in our lives. It won't happen in one glorious moment or after a couple of tries. But gradually, the sin of envy will lose its power and influence.

So let us not give up, even if the fight is intense. Jonathan Edwards in his famous Resolutions, "Resolved never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be."

Regardless of whether we feel like we are winning the fight against envy. Regardless of how much of a challenge it continues to be, let us never slacken our fight. For it is God "who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57).

Motherhood

I really find these such an encouragment and the most awesome part, IS GOD. and HIS timing......I love you sweet Jesus!



November 11, 2010


The Mother Load

Lysa TerKeurst





"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62:11-12a (NIV)



Devotion:

We moms should never build the stability of our identity on the fragility of our kid's choices.



Have you ever felt like a failure as a mom because you got a not so great call from the principal's office? Me too. On the flip side, have you ever felt like the greatest mom ever because your child got some special recognition? Me too. So, let me say it again just so this crucial truth can sink in a little deeper. I'm repeating it for no other reason, sweet sister, than the fact I need this message. So, forgive me if this devotion preaches a message only to myself.



We moms should never build the stability of our identity on the fragility of our kid's choices.



I've got five amazing kids. I really do. They are wildly funny, imaginative, moody, opinionated, strong, weak, happy, sad, good and sometimes not so good. In other words they're pretty normal. And while I've done everything in my power to raise them to turn out amazingly awesome - and they very well might turn out amazingly awesome - there aren't any guarantees.



Sometimes bad parents raise terrific kids.



And sometimes terrific parents raise kids that chase bad things their whole life.



So, what's a mama to do?



Embrace the process. Learn from the process. Let God speak to us during the process. And see the process of raising kids as an ongoing opportunity to invest beyond ourselves.



We get to love our kids like crazy. Pray for them faithfully. Talk to them regularly. Listen to them tenderly. Model honesty and integrity. And point them to Jesus at every turn.



We get to do all that.



And tucked within these privileges is the reward. As long as I look for the reward within the process, I won't misplace my expectations. I have to rest in the assurance that God sees everything I invest in these kids.



And He will use every step of this process for good. The process will be good for me. And this process will good for my kids. It will be good. But this process won't always make me feel good or look good.



If I always expect my kids to make me feel good or look good, I am setting us all up for failure. My kids were never meant to carry the weight of a mama's need for validation. I can't let their failures send me to bed. And I can't wear their successes like mommy medals of honor.



Motherhood is tough you know?



It really is.



However, it's also our only opportunity to reach into the generations to come and make a difference. So, an imperfect but wonderful difference I will make.

relationships

November 10, 2010


A Recipe for Relationships

Micca Monda Campbell





"Because he loved him as he loved himself."



1 Samuel 20:17b (NIV)



Devotion:

So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so few actually find them. My mother use to tell me to count myself lucky if I had just one "close friend." That's because close life-long relationships are hard to come by. Since we are becoming an increasingly private society, it seems that fewer people than ever actually have life-long intimate friends. Still, the desire for this kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.





Women are naturally drawn to other women. In fact, a girl's first experience with heartache may have been over a lost "best friend" rather than a "boyfriend." Women value friendships. When they are lost, we grieve; not just over the friendship itself, but also for the secrets shared, the trust given and the acceptance enjoyed. If betrayed, the pain runs deep causing us to wonder if intimate friendships are really possible.





When I think of a biblical example of real friendship, the story of David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 19, always comes to mind.





Jonathan, son of King Saul, was David's closest friend. The King despised David because he was growing in popularity and because God had anointed David to be king. These facts enraged King Saul, and he commanded his aids and Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan loved David; therefore he would not betray David.





Love isn't the only fruit of true friendship. A real relationship consists of sacrifice too.





We discover in this story that Jonathan stripped himself of the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt. Jonathan was the potential heir to his father's throne, but we see him sacrificing his future for David as he literally gives David his place as king.





You and I learn from this action that true friendship means a willingness to sacrifice for each other in love. It's the ability to put another's needs, desires, and wishes above those of our own.





Loyalty is also a mark of true friendship. We're told that Jonathan went to his father and spoke well of David. Jonathan also stood up to his dad and said, "Dad, you're wrong about David. He hasn't done anything against you, in fact, everything he's done has helped you." A true friend is a loyal defense before others; one who won't talk about you when you're not around. True friends stick up for each other and are ready to defend when others attack.





Finally, intimate friends give each other complete freedom to be themselves. In an intimate friendship, you don't have to explain why you do what you do. You're just free to do it.



When Jonathan gave David the sign that things were not okay in the palace and that his dad was going to kill David, the two were forced to say goodbye. The text tells us they wept together.



When your heart is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this and she'll understand. She won't try to comfort you in your misery or tell you to straighten up. Intimate friends let each other hurt and they weep together. If your friend needs to complain, you will listen. Intimate friends don't bale, they stay. They allow you to be yourself no matter what 'self' looks like.





If you're looking for a Godly recipe for relationships, look no further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.

"Girlfriends"

Im Laughing and crying.......

The Invisible Woman

Lisa Harper's Childhood Hero: Stan Brock

She was at the Women of Faith I went to recently, it was so wonderful listening to her!

Emaly's fall tree

Emaly's Fall trees using her hands

Sara's trees

Sara did both hands

Leia's tree

Leia's fall tree with Leaves using her hand

Sesame Street: Song: There's An App For That

What's the cost

November 4, 2010


The Cost

Lysa TerKeurst





"...in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."



2 Corinthians 2:11(NIV)



Devotion:

Yesterday I sat at the DMV with my 15 year-old daughter while an officer talked to Ashley about how important it is to make good choices. She was getting her learner's permit and entering the often scary world of teenage drivers. "We've had 320 teens killed this year in fatal car accidents so we want to do everything possible to keep you safe," the officer said sternly as she highlighted for Ashley all the many rules for new drivers. Then she suggested signing a contract with her parents incorporating these rules.





I've never wanted to hug a DMV officer. But, it was all I could do not to reach across the desk and throw my arms around her. My husband and I wrote a driving contract that we've made each of our teenaged children sign. I'm sure our kids have thought our contract to be a bit over the top. After all, none of their friends have had to sign such a document with their parents. So, it was good to hear another adult speak truth into the life of my child. And the thing I loved about her sermonette on safe driving is how much she emphasized the cost of wrong choices.



How I wish we could see the cost of each of our choices as clearly as a price tag on items in a store. If I know how much something is going to cost me, I make such wiser choices. But we have an enemy who schemes against us to keep the cost of dumb decisions concealed until it's too late.



Satan wants to defeat, discourage, and destroy our families. His attacks are not just willy-nilly attempts to trip us up or knock us down. He wants to take us out. That's why, as parents, we've got to boldly fight for our families. We must get intentional with teaching our kids to think through their choices. And we must get intentional about modeling good choices as well.



Do you know why Satan's tactics are called schemes in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11? A scheme is a plan, design, or program of action. Satan's schemes are well thought through plans specifically targeted to do three things:



1. To increase your desire for something outside the will of God.



2. To make you think giving in to a weakness is no big deal.



3. To minimize your ability to think through the consequences of falling to this temptation.



Satan is a master of keeping that cost hidden until it's too late.



Sweet sisters, I think this is something worth thinking about. And I think it is something worth talking to our kids about. Think of age appropriate examples of how costly wrong choices can be. Be real and raw and bold as you walk them through different scenarios of temptations they will face.



That DMV officer was certainly bold in her explanation of how costly it can be when a teen gets distracted by their ipod, cell phone, or friends acting silly while driving. Hearing her explain to my daughter how costly other's poor choices have been made these "rules" seem more like life-saving gifts.



Think how differently life might be if we all paused and asked ourselves this crucial question, How much will this choice really cost me? If we teach ourselves and our kids nothing else this week than to ask this one question, we will have invested wisely. So, so very wisely.

friends

November 3, 2010


Charles

Rachel Olsen





"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."



Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)





Devotion:

"The gift enclosed was a new watch. A climbing watch made by Suunto. Called the Core."





As my eyes scanned these sentences on page 313 of The Mountain Between Us, I forgot momentarily about the novel's characters. Instead I pictured the watch the author had given my husband years ago.





A Timex Ironman with more buttons and functions than I'd know what to do with.





Rick and I met Charles at graduate school. The two men bonded over darts, basketball, Jesus, discussions of Walker Percy, hunting, music and Dr. Brown's doctoral communication theory lectures.





I'd often find the two of them in the computer lab engrossed in conversation. Or else, laughing so hard sound ceased to emanate from their gaping mouths. Rick's computer screen always contained academic-speak and research terms. Charles', more often than not, would reveal short stories he was composing. I still remember the first one I read. A piece about his sister Annie called Humble Pie...





The timepiece was accompanied by a letter. In a poetic way only a budding novelist could pen, Charles detailed all the characteristics about Rick that inspired him. All the challenges they faced and overcame together. And how much he valued Rick's friendship. He included the verse, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17, NIV).





Charles explained he'd given the same watch to a select few men in his life that had also been a significant source of inspiration. "Iron men" he called them. Men who had sharpened him. Charles described them in the letter too - each one impressive in their own right. Rick wasn't so sure he was worthy of the comparison. Of course, it wasn't really a comparison - it was a celebration. A symbolic token of friendship and appreciation.





Rick wore that watch until the battery died. Then he replaced the battery. He wore it until the band broke, then he put a new band on it. After all, it's not every day someone tells you you're an Iron Man. But each day Rick looked at that watch, Charles did.





Our time at graduate school came to a close causing the men to go their separate ways. Rick to Wilmington to teach college, Charles to Jacksonville to eventually publish stories. Moving stories. Stories where broken people heal and find hope. Stories that show the reader what love looks like.





In an interview Charles said a driving force in his novels is writing a story that answers the question, "What does it look like to really love somebody?" The characters' lives in Charles' books answer that question. So does the novelist's own life.





I asked Rick this week, "What do you think are Charles' strengths as a friend?" Rick paused for split-second and then said, "He is honest about his stuff and requires that you be honest about yours too." Then he added, "And he knows how to love."





Sounds like that sharpening thing goes both ways.

Sara's craft this week

Leia and Emaly's craft this week

Emaly's

Last week, we painted using Fall Colors....:)

Sara's

Leia's

Beloved

What do you think of when you see that? Oh my Oh

my, I’m really really loving this and what it means……..

 

The dictionary:

 

beloved- Dear; loved very much

 

I am God’s beloved…….YES me! That is sooo exciting! I am beginning to learn and know deep down, that HE LOVES ME……..

 

I am His beloved……ahhhhhhhhh

Tenth Avenue North - "Healing Begins" Video Journal

Loved this.........loved the song but also him explaining the why he wrote the song too.....

Do you hate sin?

October 14, 2010








Do You Hate Sin?



Glynnis Whitwer







"For in his own eyes he flatters himself

too much to detect or hate his sin." Psalm 36:2 (NIV)







Devotion:



Recently, a publicity firm invited a group of editors of Christian publications to preview a Hollywood film. The film producers were looking to get the message of this film into churches and wanted feedback from people like me in Christian publishing.







The movie was dark, with a theme of unresolved guilt. Sadly, that guilt consumed the main character all his life, until he became a bitter old man. After we viewed the movie, the publicists turned on the lights and led a discussion. Basically, they wanted to know if we would recommend the movie to pastors. I stayed out of the conversation, because I'm a Pollyanna when it comes to movies. I like them happy and with a predictable ending. I know that's not very high-brow, but it's the truth.







However, the ensuing conversation intrigued me. Some people thought the movie was rich with important themes. They believed it would provoke thoughtful discussion. Others couldn't get past the language, and would never recommend it. One woman shared her opinion on the language with eloquence and passion.







She would never recommend it, she said, because of several instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. She defended her position by saying that too many people minimize sin. In fact, she explained, the film violated one of the Ten Commandments, to not misuse the Lord's name (Exodus 20:7).







The conversation continued with the challenge of relating to people without violating any of our beliefs. Our time together ended, and a few people got up to leave, including the woman who spoke against the movie. After she left however, another conversation began when a college-aged woman spoke up.







"My friends and I would never be bothered by the misuse of God's name," she said. "But we should." We sat in silence digesting her words.







That comment plays and replays in my mind. The honesty of that young woman touched me, as she identified a serious problem among those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus: we tolerate sin. In fact, at times we even re-label it as "normal." I know there's a fine line between being in the culture but not of the culture. But that's not the root of this issue.







That young woman identified the real source: our hearts. We are going to be around sin until we get to heaven. Sin is woven in our human fiber. That's not the issue. The issue is what I think about it. Do I hate anything that sets itself up against God or His character? Do I hate sin?







I guess there's a part of me that shies away from the word "hate." I've taught my children not to use it, and I guard my own thoughts and tongue. Yet in doing so I've tamed my response to something that separates me from God. I've weakened my response and dulled my senses to that which God hates. He hates it because it takes me away from Him. And He loves me...and He loves you.







Call it old-school religion, but it's time for me to reexamine my response to that which God hates. It's time to settle in my heart whose side I'm on. It's time to decide if I will ignore or hate sin. Yep. It's time.

It's about TIME

Really great blog..........

http://homekeepingheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/homeschooling-its-about-time.html

Funny Husband......

ok so we were at Target today, while looking at pajamas for the girls, Andy walks up and says "oh your looking at school uniforms"......... ROFL!

Marriage By Design :: What He Must Be

oh man I want to get this book.......

Voddie Baucham - Marriage

Leia's

Emaly's

Sara's

Facebook

Taken from http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/



Sunday, October 10, 2010

Reader Asks About Facebook Campaign









A sweet reader recently wrote me and asked:



"...I have been thinking and praying about this current craze that has hit Facebook and ALOT of Christian woman/girls (and even some youth guys now) participating in the "I like it" purse comments... I am sorry but it sits wrong with me, as did the "bra color" campaign. I know a couple "Christian male perspectives" where given in January when the "bra" thing hit Facebook and they really were spoken with alot of sincerity about the need for awareness but that it does not glorify God when it is sexualized. I really would like to know if Steve has any insight or knows of anyone that does...would love to hear your thoughts as always.."



My personal thoughts? I think as Christian women we need to use discretion and we need to be wise. Having fun or raising awareness about breast cancer is not an issue--it is how we do it that we need to critically evaluate.



I, myself, saw the bra campaigns last year and was concerned. Do we not realize that we should be more careful about sharing private things? I was encouraged to see many godly men, young and old, speak out as well and share their thoughts on it. I have to say, I felt a bit embarrassed that they even had to address this topic to women and other sisters-in-Christ.



I feel no different about the purse issue either--understanding that it is the same group behind it I was sad to see this going around Facebook again. Even though the question seems innocent---the answers seem suggestive. So I personally would not participate in that knowing the potential damage it could cause. I wouldn't want other men 'accidentally' thinking about me in wrong ways--especially through a Facebook update.



But am I surprised? No---I believe our culture has been so far removed from the teachings of modesty and discretion that many times we tend not think twice about these things. We wouldn't want our brothers to stumble (Romans 14:13) by reading updates about our favorite bra colors or where we "like it" (supposedly a purse). It instantly can conjure up images in the mind that can lead to sin.



Am I judging anyone? No. I, myself, need help in the issues of temptation so I am grateful when an older person speaks out on relevant issues. I cannot walk this Christian walk without the body of Christ helping to sharpen me (Proverbs 27:17) and grateful for guidance along the way because that is just what I am--IMPERFECT!



And as for my husband, Steve.....I know he feels the same!



Those are my thoughts...hope my answer helps.



Have a blessed day as you seek to serve our Savior--the King!

Our craft this week

Cut out leaf shapes from black paper, write God made Fall on top. On white paper color fall colors all over. Glue black paper on top fall painted paper, tada!  we are doing this today. :)

Maker of the home

Beverly Bradley was in San Antonio this past weekend and I got to go to her speaking. She sang this song, and I was so upset that she would make me cry....LOL.... this was a very touching song.....Don't give up in doing good!








Little maker of the home,

What do you really do?

When all is said and done,

what will be said of you?

You rise each day and like the sun

you give your life away,

and tired, you’ve run the course again.



You need to hear Him say:

"Well done,

Oh, maker of the home,

Well done!

You labor not alone.

And though your eyes many never see,

This home you live to make,

you make for Me.





"Your life a shadow seems,

compared to what others do,

but who would catch the tears,

and point to Me,

if not for you?

And when they’ve grown,

imprinted on their hearts will always be,

how good, how right, to give their lives,

and build a home for Me"





lyrics by Beverly Bradley © 1992

Reb Bradley Family Ministries

PO Box 1401 h Fair Oaks CA 95628

Leia's Bag Completed

Yes I know, It took way to long to post this... BUT I have a reason, my daughter likes to take tons of pics and she fills up my camera ALL the time, so it is full of pics and no room for a pic of the stuff I make. So here it is. It has batting in it and very solid bag for Leia to carry her books or whatever in it......She picked out the embroidery designs......

Sneak peak, Leias new bag

sneak peak

Last Thursday's Craft

Sebastian helped Sara with hers, the smaller one.....They enjoyed these!

A sneak Peak

Im working on another scrappy quilt for us to snuggle with while watching tv or reading a book.

Sebastian Watercolor #2

This is my favorite, I hinted to him that making a larger tree like this one with a nice mothers day note on it would be perfect......

Sebastian

• A rose and no words given to me at age two
• Runs away from the sugar patch kisses age four
• loves to wash my car age five
• has fun getting his first tooth out age six
• is under my full time care age seven
• gives me energy (by slapping my hand)
• the claw
• running away :(
• coming back :)
• Homeschooling
• Touching EVERYTHING in the store!
• always full of energy
• Girls are gross

 

Sebastian you have grown so much over the past 14 years Ive know you. From that very first rose you presented to me, to the nasty attitude today. I have loved you the best I know how. It has been a hard journey for me but overall I’m so glad I chose to take it. You have blessed my life more than I could have imagined. Has it always been easy NO! I can’t wait to see the fruit of my labor and see what kind of man God is building in you. I feel so blessed to have been able to mother you through the years.  I pray as you look back over your childhood, you see how your father and I truly do love you and pray and want the best for you and the life God has intended for you. May you prosper in the Lord and his ways and always acknowledge him. May you find the helpmeet God has for you to help you accomplish your dreams. We love you Sebastian. Love, Mom

 

• Doesn't give me flowers
• Runs away from regular kisses
• wants to get paid to wash my van
• always making sure your teeth are white
• tries to get away from my care
• takes away all my energy
• poking
• reality has set in, you need us
• almost done with schooling at home, now in college too
• wants everything in the store
• always sleepy
• I can’t get you to stop looking at girls!

Sebastian's watercolor Pic #1

Sebastian is taking a watercolor class at home. This is his first watercolor painting. He is doing really well at this, which I knew before purchasing he would. He is artistcally wired for sure!

Birdhouses

Emaly's      Leia's     Sara's

last Thursday's Daffodils.

Sara's, Leia's, Emaly's and Sebastian's

Yummy

A week ago the kids and I went to have a picnic lunch with my hubby and this is the sandwich I made...It was super yummy!

Crafts "Bees"

What the kids are learning 2012-2013

Sara
ABC cards
My Father's World Kindergarten
Mathusee


Emaly
Math-u-see
My Father's World Creation to the Greeks
MFW is her science, history, bible, art and music
Spelling/phonics
Easy Grammer Grade 3



Leia
My Father's World Creation to the Greeks
MFW is her science, history, bible, art and music
Easy Grammer Grade 5
Spelling Rod and Staff
Math-u-see

Check it out!

Emaly's Dress

This is THE Dress! I'm very pleased with it. I started on this dress back before Christmas, so happy I choose spring colors considering it took me so long to complete and many seam rips.......she loves it!

Last Thurs Craft

This past week we learned about St. Patrick and the meaning behind the shamrocks, clover. It was really fun, although we were suppose to add macroni and stuff to outside, we werent able to do that, so we just had fun discussing the St. Patrick and coloring our shamrock.....

Thurs craft

OH my Darling

Do you remember the song and tune of Oh My Darling Clementine? Sarah Brown has sent in some words that she loves to sing to her children to this tune. In fact, the children love to make up new verses.
Oh My Darling little children
I'm so happy that you're mine
I'm so happy to be with you
To be with you all the time.
I'm so glad I'm not a daddy
Off to work he has to go
I'll be home to play and teach you
Home to watch you grow.
Oh My darling little children
What a gift God gave to me
When He let me be a mommy
In our Happy Family.
Oh My Darling little children
I'm so happy that you're mine
I'm so happy to be with you
To be with you all the time.
SARAH BROWN, joshsarah@bigfoot.com
I think it is a wonderful idea to sing personal songs to your children.

MOTHER'S VERSION OF 1 CORINITHIANS 13

 

I can read bedtime stories, till the cow jumps over the moon and sing, "Ten Little Monkeys", until I want to call the doctor--but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.
I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail. I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger-but if I don't have love, I am nothing.
Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.
Love is kind when my teen says "I hate you!"
Love does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new mini-van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.
Love does not brag  when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities and love rejoices when other families succeed.
Love doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.
Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks,
"What have you done today?"
Love does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
Love is not easily angered  when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.
Love does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17 year old that he's going 83 in a 55 mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.
Love does not give up hope.
Love always protects our children's self esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.

Things that make me Happy!

 

When my husband comes home from work.

When my children tell me I’m a good mommy.

To see my children are learning and actually reading!

To get “stuff” in the mail.

Getting to go shopping and actually buying something.

My husband being a such a help and support for me and the children.

sitting in my “coffee” room.

Cuddling with my 2 yr old baby

knowing that someone loves me

Cuddling on the couch with my husband.

My children

That God loves me no matter what………

 

There is so much more……………………….

Sidewalk Prophets "The Words I Would Say" w/ LYRICS

This is my song to Sebastian.

ahhhhhh arg......

I am sewing, I promise! I rec'd a pattern for a dress that Im sewing for Emaly and let me tell ya, I am having to seam rip it ALOT! I am now finishing up the skirt part of it and then get to sew on buttons. I will surely post a pic when Im done.....

socialization

I found this online and thought it was funny, role reversed! Imagined if we started asking the questions

What ABOUT socialization?




Two women meet at a playground, where their children are swinging and playing ball. The women are sitting on a bench watching. Eventually, they begin to talk.

W1: Hi. My name is Maggie. My kids are the three in red shirts -- helps me keep track of them.

W2: (Smiles) I'm Terri. Mine are in the pink and yellow shirts. Do you come here a lot?

W1: Usually two or three times a week, after we go to the library.

W2: Wow. Where do you find the time?

W1: We home school, so we do it during the day most of the time.

W2: Some of my neighbors home school, but I send my kids to public school.

W1: How do you do it?

W2: It's not easy. I go to all the PTO meetings and work with the kids every day after school and stay real involved.

W1: But what about socialization? Aren't you worried about them being cooped up all day with kids their own ages, never getting the opportunity for natural relationships?

W2: Well, yes. But I work hard to balance that. They have some friends who're home schooled, and we visit their grandparents almost every month.

W1: Sounds like you're a very dedicated mom. But don't you worry about all the opportunities they're missing out on? I mean they're so isolated from real life -- how will they know what the world is like -- what people do to make a living -- how to get along with all different kinds of people?

W2: Oh, we discussed that at PTO, and we started a fund to bring real people into the classrooms. Last month, we had a policeman and a doctor come in to talk to every class. And next month, we're having a woman from Japan and a man from Kenya come to speak.

W1: Oh, we met a man from Japan in the grocery store the other week, and he got to talking about his childhood in Tokyo. My kids were absolutely fascinated. We invited him to dinner and got to meet his wife and their three children.

W2: That's nice. Hmm. Maybe we should plan some Japanese food for the lunchroom on Multicultural Day.

W1: Maybe your Japanese guest could eat with the children.

W2: Oh, no. She's on a very tight schedule. She has two other schools to visit that day. It's a system-wide thing we're doing.

W1: Oh, I'm sorry. Well, maybe you'll meet someone interesting in the grocery store sometime and you'll end up having them over for dinner.

W2: I don't think so. I never talk to people in the store -- certainly not people who might not even speak my language. What if that Japanese man hadn't spoken English?

W1: To tell you the truth, I never had time to think about it. Before I even saw him, my six-year-old had asked him what he was going to do with all the oranges he was buying.

W2: Your child talks to strangers?

W1: I was right there with him. He knows that as long as he's with me, he can talk to anyone he wishes.

W2: But you're developing dangerous habits in him. My children never talk to strangers.

W1: Not even when they're with you?

W2: They're never with me, except at home after school. So you see why it's so important for them to understand that talking to strangers is a big no-no.

W1: Yes, I do. But if they were with you, they could get to meet interesting people and still be safe. They'd get a taste of the real world, in real settings. They'd also get a real feel for how to tell when a situation is dangerous or suspicious.

W2: They'll get that in the third and fifth grades in their health courses.

W1: Well, I can tell you're a very caring mom. Let me give you my number--if you ever want to talk, give me call. It was good to meet you.

--Author unknown

Thursday's Craft

The girls made Heart people this week. Emaly calls her's a spider. They enjoyed making them ofcourse and were happy we are getting back on track.

My dinner

My dinner

Zuchinni, orange bellpepper sauteed long time with little butter and salt pepper. Avocados and tomatoes and tomatoes and cucumbers in balsalmic vinegar! YUMMO!

Ignorance?

January 15, 2010








Is Ignorance Bliss?



Leslie Nease, She Speaks! Graduate







"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused." Romans 1:21-22 (NLT)







Devotion:



A wave of regret swept over me as I looked up the nutrition information on the pumpkin muffin I'd just consumed. It had a whopping 530 calories, 20 fat grams and 80 carbohydrates! Stunned, I wondered why I would ever want to know this information? Why did I look this up? Now I wouldn't be able to eat my pumpkin muffin in good conscience!







Ignorance is bliss. Or is it?







If I didn't know this nutritional information I would eat the muffin thinking that because it contains vegetable, it must be good for me! I mean, honestly - have you tasted one of these? But the truth is, eating a pumpkin muffin every day for the rest of my life might lead to some serious consequences. Heart disease, obesity, lack of energy and diabetes could be in my future. Now that I'm in the know, I can't deny the potential negative affects this could have. I have a responsibility and a decision to make, whether I like it or not.





Similarly, it used to be easier for me to pretend God wasn't real--hell was made up and evil was something I could elude. But when faced with the reality that there is a God who I am accountable to, there is a hell, and evil is present; I knew I had some decisions to make. Instead of living in denial, I accepted that ignorance is not bliss and it was not doing me any favors. So I started to search for truth about God in the pages of His Word.



Scripture is the one place where we can be sure we will find all we need to know about God. However, many folks try to figure out God without the Bible; they want a god on their terms. This reminds me of diets that promise extreme weight loss while eating whatever you want without exercising. We would be in denial if we believed those promises. To lose weight, you have to know the nutritional value of food, work out regularly, and not eat pumpkin muffins every day! It's a conscious decision to daily invest in our health and there are no short cuts.



Denying God's existence is not going to change the fact that He is there either. Ignorance is not bliss - it is ignorance.







God makes Himself known to us through His Word. He says, "I Am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NIV). We must make a conscious decision daily to invest in our spiritual health through learning about God through time in the Bible. We must connect and remain with Him. With God's Word lighting our path, we are armed with truth, so we can make informed decisions that will help us grow, not lead us into deception.

Are you colorful?

January 13, 2010




The Colors of Emotion



Susanne Scheppmann




"This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:19-20 (NIV)



Devotion:



My feelings scoot across the emotion spectrum. Some days are happy days. Other mornings I don't want to crawl out of bed—I just want to wallow in misery and depression. I sigh and say to my husband, "I have the blues today."





I guess you could say I am a "colorful" person. Maybe you are too. Have you ever found yourself saying something like ...






· I am feeling blue today.

· I am so angry; I'm seeing red.

· I am green with envy.

· I am in black despair.

Often our emotions are not based on reality, but on a temporary perception of reality. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV). I don't always understand why I feel the way I do. My moods could result from weariness, hormones, or an unexpected surprise.



Fortunately, although our hearts are deceitful and trick us into colorful emotions, God is bigger and stronger than our weak hearts. Our key verse states, "This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (1 John 3:19-20, NIV; emphasis added). This makes me shout aloud, "Hallelujah!"



We still hold some responsibility, however, for our thoughts and emotions. Proverbs 4:23 instructs, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (NIV)." How do we do this? We should �that we�allow t� influe�ce our houghts Listenon that we allow to influence our thoughts. Listening to gossip, rumors and discontent from friends can certainly stir up negative feelings as well.



Instead of infusing ourselves with emotional junk food, we need to nourish our minds with godly influences. For example, read the Bible, chat with godly friends, or listen to praise music. The more joyful and contentment-filled influences we filter our thoughts through each day, the more we'll experience a positive emotional state—in fact, we'll be tickled pink!

Steven's Christmas present

My brother's Christmas present, I got word that he received it on Friday and He said its perfect and he loves it. So I can finally post it here for ya'll to see...

Cloth Napkins DONE!

Cloth napkins done!

I will be mailing these out shortly, except for you Doreen, since you asked for me to wait. :)

I'M so glad these are done and I can finally use our new pretty napkins!

Tenth Avenue North - Hold my Heart [Lyrics]

Super chick song at the end. This is a long one but its was the best one with the lyrics on it. I love this song sooo much right now! Praising God! Can he hear our broken hearts??? YES HE CAN!

Friends.......

January 5, 2010








The Friendship Project



Whitney Capps







"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'



Luke:10:29 (NIV)







Devotion:



It was a room full of nearly strangers, barely friends-until that day. I asked the ladies to stand as I read from a list of life experiences. If they had lived through one of the descriptions they stood up. One by one, sobbing women rose to their feet as I read the list. They were family in name only - a family of believers from the same church gathered together for a women's retreat where I was the guest speaker.







Twelve women stood together when I asked if anyone had had a miscarriage. One woman had buried a spouse. Five came from unbelieving homes. One had lived through marital infidelity. Three had escaped relationships where they had faced verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Three ladies had struggled with depression. The list went on and on. By the time I had finished, every woman in the room was standing.







We were knee-deep in one another's junk, and yet I had never felt closer to a group of women. As we closed the session I asked them to share more about their stories at their individual tables. As I surveyed the room, women who had been strangers only minutes before were huddled around one another, embracing, sharing and weeping. God was knitting hearts together. It was a moment I'll never forget.







I am realizing that women of all walks of life crave friendships. And yet so many of us feel that we are lacking meaningful, authentic relationships. How is it that a church full of women with a common thread of faith are not friends? Worse yet, if we aren't friends, can we hope to offer authentic relationships to those who enter the doors of our churches every week?�r the answer is "no, we can't" unless weear the answer is "no, we can't" unless we change and make a few necessary sacrifices.







Recently I've gleaned some life lessons from the story of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:30, Jesus paints a not-so-favorable picture of the religious and respectable. I wonder if He would have the same indictment of our churches today? The priest was seemingly too busy to befriend the one in need.







Can I be honest? I am regularly guilty of this sin. Before and after church my husband and I busy ourselves with the work of tending to our children, and doing the business of church. I move past people who are hurting, but I don't stop with my busyness to see their needs. I rarely get off my horse. I am the priest.







The Levite rode past the hurting man too. Perhaps he felt he was too clean to get dirty in the messy business of grace and mercy. Helping the man in need would have made the Levite ceremonially unclean. He wanted to preserve his position and place.







Let me do a little more truth-telling. I don't usually want to get knee-deep in other people's junk. If I don't get into messy relationships I avoid having to deal not only with my own junk, but other's as well. So I don't get off my horse. I am the Levite.







Here is the problem. Real relationships require time and transparency. If we want to move from being casual acquaintances to genuine friends you and I will have to share pain and joy in an authentic, sacrificial way. I believe this, but for right now it's just theory.







I'm curious. What would happen if we covenanted together to get off our high horses and got into one another's junk? I wonder if our churches would explode. I wonder if lives would be forever changed. I wonder if the Church would shed a little bit of its reputation of hypocrisy.







Want to see what would happen? It's not too late to add a New Year's resolution. Let's resolve to change lives through friendship. Let's slow down. Let's share our stories. Let's get knee-deep

last thrus craft, penguins

Last Thursdays craft

our tree

Thursday crafts

We are still doing the crafts BUT my laptop died and I have no way to post the pics.... BUMMER!

Last week we made 3d christmas trees with construction paper. This week we didnt really coordinate anything but they will color a candy cane and possibly make a wreath.

Love, God's Way

December 17, 2009








A Gut Honest Look at Love



Lysa TerKeurst







"...if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."



1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)







Devotion:



As the holidays approach, I have to be careful about developing an overly ideal view of love. Sometimes I'm guilty of setting the expectations so high of what a 'love filled' Christmas should be that it dooms me to feeling disappointed and grumpy. Ever been there?







Well, this year I am feeling challenged to look at love a little differently. I don't want to repeat a habit that I've had from the past where I expect unrealistic things from those I love. I used to hold out the little cup of my heart to my husband, "Will you fill my empty spaces? Will you do that one really romantic thing that makes me feel like I'm the most terrific and special woman in the world?"







Then I would hold it out to my children, "Will you fill up my empty spaces? Will you do something that makes me look really good as a mom so I'll feel a little more validated?"







Then I would hold it out to my friends, "Will you fill up my empty spaces? Will you provide something today that makes me feel more included and significant?"







Maybe Christmas is an odd time to consider such things.







Or, maybe this season celebrating Jesus is the perfect time to hit the reset button on my sometimes frail heart. Love is a tricky thing. Our hearts were created to crave it. But misplaced expectations from love can wreak havoc in a person's heart.







God proclaims in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that love never fails. And in the quietness of my heart that verse makes me squirm a bit. I see love failing all the time. Or do I?







If my only view of love is what it will give me, love from others will fail me every time. It's not that love fails. It's that other people were never meant to be my God. Even a great husband, wonderful children and a thriving ministry can never truly fill me up, right all my wrongs, and soothe those deep insecurities. Not at Christmas. Not at any other time of the year.







No, I can't read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 with eyes hungry to see what love should give me and then demand it from those around me. I should read those steadfast Scriptures with the realization that this is the kind of love God gives to me. And this is the kind of love I can choose to give to other people.







I can choose that my love will be patient. My love will be kind. My love won't keep a record of wrongs. (Ouch - that's a hard one, right?)







I can choose that my love will protect and persevere.







And I can choose to lay the cup of my heart at Jesus' feet and stop twirling, twirling, twirling...hoping- demanding- that those around me do things for me they were never meant to do.







Interestingly enough, when I read 1 Corinthians 13 again this morning I found an odd yet perfect verse toward the end of this chapter. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me" (verse 11).







Yes indeed. How funny I never connected that verse about putting away childish things with 1 Corinthians 13 - known as the chapter of love. Oh how we have the propensity to grow in other areas while keeping such a childish, selfish view of love.







Love isn't what I have the opportunity to get from this world. Love is what I have the opportunity to give. And I guess there's no more appropriate time to remember this than Christmas.