Love LOVE

I've been thinking a lot about love today.

 

Here's the thing - I want you to love LOVE.  I don't want you to hate LOVE, or think that LOVE STINKS, etc.  

 

I saw a picture today of a young man who has been a complete deadbeat dad to his kids...and now, at a young age, he is dying.  He is STILL a deadbeat.  It makes me angry for my friend when I think of him.

 

BUT...when I saw the picture of him, I saw the man she fell in love with.  The one she pledged her heart to, bore a child with.  It softened my hardness.

 

Don't get me wrong - I have been WRONGED by some ex's, and have suffered some terrible stuff.  BUT...God doesn't want us to stop loving.  In fact , that is the worst thing we can do.

 

*DISCLAIMER! I am NOT advocating that you pursue a romantic relationship - absolutely NOT!  DON'T DO IT!  Unless you are at LEAST three years out from a completed divorce, and you have been in counseling and have made peace with yourself and your situation, don't even THINK about dating!!*

 

That being said, don't give up on love.

 

Love is mentioned 443 times in the King James Bible.  

 

God IS love.  Greater love has no man than this - that he lay down his life for a friend, right?  LOVE is what God is all about.

 

Because we put our hearts out there and got our hearts broken, beaten, and/or abused, do not ever forget this - GOD's plan is LOVE.  God IS love.  

 

Don't let your heart get hardened to ever loving.  First, love God, and seek Him with your whole heart.

 

Then, learn to love yourself - not in the narcissistic, self-centered way, but in appreciating what God made you to do, and to be- and being grateful for it.

 

Last, pray for an open heart.  Because that is the heart He can use to help others.  

 

Let Him bring that wall down around your heart, brick by brick.

 

Love is worth it.

 

Here are some verses about love for you:

God’s Love Shown Through Jesus Christ

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. who loved me and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, evenwhen we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—

1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

God Loves and Cares For Us 

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 Peter 5:6-7  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Job 34:19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor,  for they are all the work of his hands?

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

1 John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

What God Says About Love

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 13:34-35  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Deep Roots

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Day!

I don't know if you are a fan of trees, but I am a fan.  I am not from
these parts, and I miss the large variety of large trees from north of
here - so I really appreciate the live oaks that we have down here.  I
attached a tree pic I took on a walk here at work.

The palm trees here are usually transplanted - I don't know if you
have ever seen a palm tree, but they barely have any roots at all.
The root ball is tiny, and if there is ever a serious storm, they are
ripped right out of the ground.

Not so with the live oaks.  Their roots are widespead, and go deep,
and hang on.  They may get battered and beaten by the storms we have
around here, and branches may be broken, but the main tree - it will
remain.  Over time, the branches heal, and new leaves come, and the
tree may look different than it did before the storm, but it is
stronger, and still growing, and most importantly - still standing.

There are a lot of verses in the Bible referring to trees and the
importance of having roots.  This was always a challenge to me - I was
an Air Force brat, and I moved every 1-3 years.  I never had roots in
any one place.  It was frustrating to rip up everything and move so
frequently!

The Bible is not referring to this kind of roots, though - if we are
rooted firmly in the Word of God, and let His Word water us and
nurture us, then our roots go deep, and hold us firm, no matter what
storm of life is thrown at us.

Jeremiah 17:8
New Living Translation (NLT)

8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
   with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
   or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
   and they never stop producing fruit.

Notice there is heat, there is drought - but they continue to thrive.
In fact, they are not bothered.

You have been through a storm - and you may be still be buffeted by
the winds right now as you read this.  Draw deeply from the Word.
Lean on the Lord.  He will strengthen you in this storm, and you will
still be standing at the end.  You might have to throw away some
broken branches, may have to trim some off that are jagged and
broken...but you will still be standing. Growing.  Learning.

Hang in there!

Leaning In

This morning I was inspired by a fierce little violet bud.

 

Huh?

 

I have been struggling with some insomnia, and I was up in the middle of the night.  As I got a glass of water, I noticed my violets.  One pot had a violet bud, standing straight up, pointing at the window.  The very dark window.  The hours away from any sign of light or day window.

 

It really caught me.

Am I leaning in?  Am I seeking the Son - no matter how dark it seems?  Am I behaving like I know that His mercy is new EVERY MORNING?? Or am I reacting to the situations around me, turning away from the Light, forgetting what happened yesterday, last week, last month...last year.

 

How many of you can testify to yourself?  I sure can.  I have kept prayer journals, and all I have to do is go back and read through them and see the faithfulness of God.

 

But even this morning, I was cranky because I was awake.  I was dreading the coming day and the possibilities.  

 

Imagine - being convicted by a flower bud!

 

That little bud was leaning into the window - straight, tall, expectantly.  And sure enough, when I came back to it later, it was in full bloom, shining its beautiful little flower face for all to see.

 

One is connected to the other.

 

The expectation- that sense of purpose, of knowing that the Son is coming, that there is a purpose for you, keeps you upright.  Standing on the Word, leaning into His presence, is what will help his love shine through us, and in us.

 

The darkness was real.  And enveloping.  And all encompassing - but the little flower leaned in to what it knew was it's source of light.  A dark window.

 

Lean in.  Expect the Son. Let your hope be in the fact that no matter how dark things may seem, the morning will come, His mercy is new, and His love will endure forever.

Starting today.

 

Make sure you are involved and present this Christmas season.  Go to a church service on Sunday.  Connection groups on Sunday and Wednesday.  Fellowship opportunities listed at your local church. The Christmas musical.  The Christmas Eve candlelight service.  Volunteer at a nursing home.  At the mission.  Get outside of yourself - you won't regret it.

 

We are praying for you!

Bluebird

Yesterday I took a much needed long walk - my dog, Mitzi, and I walked through the winding streets of my neighborhood. I didn't bring music - yesterday was a blustery precursor to todays wintery weather, so I was bundled up, gloves on.  

 

I didn't take music because I wanted to hear, and see, all that was around me.  I listened to the wind comb through the pompano grass,and toss the trees around.  I watched and listened as newly fallen leaves skittered and scrambled across the road.  I took in the colors of the rare leaves that showed out fall splendor, a rare thing in our parts.  I watched the thin white clouds stretch across the endless blue sky.

 

As I moved through the neighborhood, around mile 4 I entered the side entrance, and there, on the white fence, were several small birds.  I watched them fly in and off, and I recognized their swooping flight.  It was a little flock of bluebirds, lighting on the fence, then quickly flying off. 

 

Immediately I was taken back to this time last year.  I was in the middle of a very undeserved and very painful persecution at work.  I had been relegated to cubicle land, far away from the patient areas I so loved to work at.  Since I was grasping at straws to find things to do, and because I was allotted an hour for lunch, every day I would step out the back door, and onto the track behind the building.  

 

As I circled the track, for many weeks there were a couple dozen bluebirds that would fly in and frolic around the field and track.  I have always loved bluebirds - they are sweet little birds with their bright red plummage in the front, flashy white chest, and lovely blue wings.  Up north, they are a sign of spring.

 

In the long fall last year, they were my cheerful,  swooping companions.  They daily brought a smile to my face, cheering me before I went back to my cubicle, and to uncertainty.

 

Flash forward a year.

 

The persecution is over - the persecuter was removed from the service.  I have been completely exhonerated.  I am back doing what I love, which is taking care of patients.  

 

Yesterday, as I was on this long walk and I turned into a portion that added a mile, to see the bluebirds brought to mind the painful past - but also reminded me that my deliverer is faithful.  Instead of being a reminder of the past pain, it reminded me that I was completely cleared, that all of that trial is behind me, and the Lord is faithful to his promise.  He told me to stand, for I had done no wrong.  So I stood - for two years.  

 

I'm thankful for the bluebirds.  I am thankful for the sparrow - for His eye is also on the sparrow, and He DOES watch over us.

 

This month, be purposefully thankful.  Even if you are in the midst of a severe trial, we have some much to be thankful for.  Today, I was thankful for a warm house, and warm clothes, and a warm car.  There are a lot of people without this season.  I was a struggling single mom oh those years ago, and I myself couldn't afford thanksgiving dinner.  The Lord provided me dinner.  

 

Matthew 6:26New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

He is concerned about you.  If you need prayer, if you have a need, let us know.

I leave you with one of my favorite songs, and it is speaking to me, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNkdzdttw5Y&feature=player_detailpage

We are praying for you!

Finding Your Peace

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Day!

 

I was reflecting today on peace.

 

I can so distinctly remember moving here in 2000 - coming from an abusive situation, and the ONE thing I wanted more than anything was PEACE.  I wanted to walk into my home, have no one yelling at me or degrading me or hovering over me or glaring at me.  

 

After years of THAT, let me tell you I have learned to appreciate PEACE.

 

This week while we were out on the open seas, inevitably I would wake up at 0400-0500.  My hubby would be sleeping away (I wish I could sleep past 6am!!), and I would slip out onto the balcony.  There, I stared in wonder at the stars.  The sky was SO clear, it was so dark!  I saw shooting stars every night.  The only sounds I heard were the swish of waves against the ship, and the wind fluttering the flags.  I would just breathe in the warm air, and relax.  It was such a peaceful time. 

 

In the midst of turmoil, it is especially important to find a place of peace.  

 

Just think about how you feel when your mind is not at peace.  You can't concentrate.  You don't have joy.  You are preoccupied.

 

This is not a panacea that will float you magically through life - and you won't have peace ALL the time.  But you need to have peace at least SOMETIMES!

 

One of my favorite verses regarding peace is this one:

 

Philippians 4:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In the midst of all the crazy, you can have peace.  THAT certainly is beyond reason and our understanding.  AND it guards our hearts and minds.  Why?  I think one reason is we are not focusing on what is going on, what is happening.  We can be of sound mind because we are of still mind.  

 

My porch is another place of peace for me.  The geranium blooms bobbing their red heads, with their leaves wafting their peppery smell, keep me company as I sit in the wicker chair.  I look at the trees, I listen to the birds.  The bushes and foliage keep me hidden from those that go walking by.  My little memory garden is in front of me.  It calms me.  

 

Where is YOUR place of peace?  If you don't have one, you need to find one.  Some place you can go, not your bed, where you can reflect on your breathing, on God's beauty.  Where you can bring your Bible and devotional and read.  Where you can pray and talk to the Father.  Where Holy Spirit can bring that peace that passes all understanding.

 

I attached a picture of Grand Turk.  The ocean was as still as glass - it was amazing to think that we were on a massive ship, in a massive body of water, and there was nary a ripple.  God is mighty, indeed!

 

We are praying for you!

 

"I aquaint myself with Him (agree with God and show myself to be conformed to His will) and I am at peace; by that (I shall prosper and great) good shall come to me." Job 22:21 (Amplified)

 

"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints...Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven." Psalms 85:8, 10-11 (NIV)

 

"When I am trying to please God, He makes even my worst enemies to be at peace with me." Proverbs 16:7 (TLB)

 

"You will guard me and keep me in perfect and constant peace as my mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because I commit myself to You, lean on You, and hope confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3

 

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give me peace at all times and in every way." 2 Thessalonians 3:16(NIV)

 

"Peace I leave with you; My (own) peace I now give and bequeath to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  (Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.) John 14:27 (Amplified)

Through The Darkness

I am giving praise that I had a wonderful getaway to a Women's conference in Atlanta Thursday - Saturday. I felt like a dry sponge going in - but coming out, feel so refreshed and rejuvenated.  It was a great time of fellowship and rejoicing and rest.  I am grateful to a God who knows what I need - and when I need it!

 

I rode a bus up there with a group of 54 women, from 14 churches.  On the way home, it was sunset, and the shades were drawn.  I took a little nap, and when I woke up, it was pitch black in the bus.  I had no phone connection or wifi, so I had no idea where I was.   I couldn't see the road ahead, because I was sitting in the back of the bus.  I was disoriented because I didn't recognize anything in the dark silhouettes passing on the side of the road.

 

I didn't know where I was, I wasn't sure where I was going - but I was not distressed. Because I had faith in the driver, and I knew he knew where he was taking me.

 

HELLO!

 

Faith.  What is faith?  A big part of it is trust.  Hebrews 11:1 says in verse 11 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

 

Isaiah 26:4 says "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, has a famous quote that says "Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

 

The evidence of things unseen.  It's not FAITH if you can SEE it.  And boy, do we want to see it - feel it, understand it.

 

There are times we see more than others.  In times of great stress and duress, like a divorce or a separation, we have no choice but to walk by faith.  We are filled with why?  Why did this happen?  Why do I have to go through this?  What is going to happen next?

 

FAITH.  It is the answer to the questions.  Trusting in God for the next step.  We put our foot out into the dark - and trust that God will put the next step there for our foot to land on.

 

He always does.

 

He always gets us to where we need to go.  If we choose to trust ourselves and our ways, we will take the long way.  But if we choose to trust God, and have faith in His ways, then we will get where He wants us to be...with a lot less pain.

 

It's not an easy lesson.  It's not an easy time.  The rewards, however, are eternal.  The growth that comes from that mustard seed faith - that tiny, trusting seed - will grow us.  Next time, we will have a little more confidence to trust Him.  How do we trust Him more?  By exercising our faith.

 

Pray.  Journal.  Talk to your Father.  Ask Him to help you.  He understands. 

 

Exercise your faith that He has a plan for you - Jeremiah 29:11.  

 

This, too, shall pass.

 

 

Changing Course

Changing Course 

Good morning, good afternoon, or good day! 

I'm writing this from the Atlantic Ocean, heading to St. Thomas today. I know the course, I know the itinerary, and unless there is a storm or other unforeseen event, I know where my life will be heading for the next few days.

The Carnival magic was not so lucky. She sailed with a destiny of Mexico, and then it was discovered that there was a passenger onboard that may have touched the blood samples from the deceased Ebola patient. So the ship sat outside the coast of Mexico, unable to move forward or back, stuck by a situation beyond it's control. Eventually, it was sent back to Texas, full of frightened and disappointed travelers.  They had left for a fun filled vacation, and it turned into a nightmare. 

When I was a little girl. All I wanted to be when I grew up was a wife and mother. I didn't aspire for a career - I wanted to take care of my family, which is the highest calling.

Yet five years into my marriage, I had a wayward spouse who was living with  another woman, and I had a baby, a five year old, and I was sitting at the bedside of my 11 year old son, who had a chronic health issue that had him admitted to the hospital more time in a year than I could count. I was a high school graduate  with a semester of college behind me, working a barely over minimum wage job.

Certainly I didn't plan that.  When I got married, I wasn't even thinking that one day he would leave me for another, especially when I had a new baby, and a sick child.  But leave he did, and with no financial support . I was too overwhelmed to even consider what to do .


As I sat at my sons bedside, I glanced over my shoulder and looked out the window. I took in the trees, the cars passing on the street below...and then I noticed, for the first time, the building outside the room. 

It was a college of nursing. 

My mind began to work.  If I became a nurse, I would certainly always have a job. I would always have health insurance. For the first time in a long time, I had a glimmer of hope.

Of course I had no idea how I was going to accomplish this. That story is for another letter.  Through the support of my friends and my church, and through hard work and Pell grants, I graduated from nursing school in May of 1997. A divorcee with a 2 1/2 year old, a six year old, and a 12 year old struggling with a lifelong autoimmune disease. 

I didn't know how I could do it.  I didn't know if I could stand the sight of blood! I had no idea what I was getting myself into. 


God knew.  I know it broke His heart when the marriage was destroyed, but He knows the beginning from the end. Nothing takes Him by surprise. 

I had no idea what to do, but I threw myself at His feet, and He directed my course. 

He is the captain of my ship . In Proverbs it says His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. His plans are for my good - Jeremiah 29:11. 

Sometimes we get off course. Sometimes we make decisions that we know are wrong for us. Sometimes things happen to us beyond our control, and we deal with the fallout. 

The solution to both those situations is to go back to where the Rock is - God.  Cry out to Him. Pour out your heart, your pain, your fear.  Ask for forgiveness if you need to, repent of anything you have to, get clean and erase  the course you were on. Grieve it...and then let it go.  

It's not what you had planned. You may have no idea what you're going to do. 

Put it in the capable hands of your Father.  Make Him captain of your life. He will never, ever let you down. He knows where you need to go. 


Trust in Him.