The answer to all things is love...

Love. How can anyone explain it. Why does God love us? How can we know the depth of love without first loving? Why was love was created? Where did God come from?

Just pondering...things too big to wrap my head around.

Love is awesome!

Oh Christmas Tree

So we didn't get a real tree this year. We invested in an artificial one - you know the one that is overly advertised to look the most realistic with just the perfect amount of needles and lights? It is the first year I have had one in 10 years. This is because my husband (whom I love for this) who has always been so adamant about our getting a real tree. I thought it was cute and always went along with it thinking it didn't make that big of a difference outside of the fun family outing. Yes, I knew would miss that - going to the same place each year, picking one out but didn't think anything else would be missed. Until now.

 

Oh sure to bring up the fact that there would be no mess and no going out in the cold and making sure it is secured on the SUV or having to feel bad for having killed it or taking it to the street when the new year comes I thought it was a great idea. Actually we all agreed it was easier to just get one we could put out each year at our convenience and not fiddle with lights and all that other stuff I mentioned. So we did it. However when we got it all decorated and up it didn't have any charm or character. No smell. No life. We love it and appreciate it, but it is just not the same.

 

It then occurred to me that this is odd in that I had real trees growing up as a kid and even later in life. I have even experienced going into the woods and cutting a tree down. So what is different inside of me now? It is different to me now because I have a relationship with Christ where in times past I hadn't. God's word written in the Bible is true that we are born again and made new. I have no doubt about this and will testify to it. But back to the tree...

I thought about what I missed with a real tree and pondered a moment or two. I began to feel a warmth and love come over me knowing how God has created so many things for us to enjoy. Thinking about the evergreen Christmas trees, I then thought about all the kinds of trees that grow around us - even the evergreens have so many variations. I moved on to the birds, the animals, the fruit, the vegetables. So much variety.

 

Also while thinking about this I thought how different we are as people, our characters, our charm, and our life. Not so much our smells, though - funny however. But thinking like this I know even more that God loves us and he formed each one of us with His own hands and heart. Every single person is so special. He admires us just as we do that Christmas tree. Just the way we are.

 

We are so blessed by a God that loves us so much and has given us so much and this Christmas season I do not take that for granted. I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father who sent His son to save us all. I am so thankful that He loves us.

 

Merry Christmas! I hope you all have wonderful season filled with love and fellowship with your relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

On The Big Ten...

Yesterday's sermon was a good one. We are having a series on the Ten Commandments and are on the 6th commandment, Exodus 20:12,“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

Oh how I wish my eyes and ears were opened to The Word when I was young so that I could have really seen my father in different eyes and gave him honor and obedience when I was young.

Growing up I was scared of him, he yelled and said a lot of things that were hurtful to me, but I had it coming since I was living life without any cares and doing things I wanted rather than heeding any instruction at all. Things were never my fault, always everyone elses.

Back then I didn't know that he was only trying to help me and in the best way he knew how. I ave learned that parents really do the best from what they know, and if it isn't up to our standards we are to forgive them and honor and respect them anyway.

Now that I know differently and wish I would have listened to my father when I had the time to do so and could have made my life a lot easier. I didn't know what he meant by a lot of things he said and now I wish I would have felt compelled to ask him to explain what he wanted to tell me. I know what he was trying to say was much different than what I thought I heard.

The pastor shared this with us,

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he'd learned in seven years.” - Mark Twain

I wrote this one down as I completely related to it. It made me realize that all this time I thought my dad had changed when in fact it was mostly me who changed. I grew up and became wiser.

Sure my dad did change - he stopped drinking and wasn't as mouthy or mean as he was when I was 13  - he became gentile and caring. I thought it was he who grew this way but I can see it goes both ways. I know in my heart that he held high hopes for me and expectations as any father does. It was only until I got older that I understood all along that he was instructing me to be different. I just didn't listen. I had to live the hard way and find out for myself.

I am so appreciative that I had time before my dad passed on to reconcile with him. To show him that I honored and respected him. I am very lucky where others are not.

So I am a slow learner here...but I am learning and I am loving learning whenever I can! I just wish it didn't hurt anyone in the process. I am so thankful for the living Word that speaks to me and for the Holy Spirit that was given to me through Christ.

Gearing Up

So I read James 1 5-8 from The Message and find that I am truly inspired yet again by the  living Word of God. 

"If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

It really speaks to me. It is a clear reminder of God's instruction to not be wishy washy. If we don't act like we believe we certainly aren't believing. In reading this I am convicted as I know I worry a lot in my prayers. Instead of letting my Amen be said, I have continued to spend time worrying about the very thing I am praying about even after I have just prayed! No wonder why it takes so long for my prayers to be answered! God waits on me to believe.

There are many prayers in my life right now that I have no doubt and am bold in belief, so why do I struggle with others?

This is the battlefield. Time to go back to The Book and gear up.

Proverbs, a word from the wise.

I am always sorrowed when I hear so many speak of others with hurtful judgment, especially those within their own family. In the Church we are all taught to love and forgive, so when did these teachings stop? Christ associated himself with people from all walks of life. He knew that we are all equally sinners and no one was any better than another.

 

I admit that it seems easier to follow the path of the enemy and cast stones than it is to be loving to strangers and purposefully help show them a different way, but I also know that is what the enemy wants. He wants us to go the easy route, the route that seems right when in fact it is wrong. He tricks us many times again, when all we need to do is practice love. Who better to practice than Jesus himself?

 

Over the past few years I have learned that there are many times in the Bible that God had forgave the Israelites time and time again, but it got to a point where they no longer listened or heeded his fore warnings that he had no choice but to stop forgiving them.

 

I don't want to get to that point in my own life - the point of not being able to forgive. So I pray that I will only be refined when there is trouble in my family no matter who the terrible judgments and gossip are pointed at. I also pray that those who feel compelled to judge others would become refined in the process of doing so. I don't know how but know that God is always working with his children in His own will, His own plan.

 

Proverbs is a wise book of the Bible and offers so much advice...in fact here are just a couple verses I received through email that happened to be the verse of the day when things were getting pretty tough in life this past week. Imagine how awesome it is to know that God is there when he knows I need it most!

 

He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

~Proverbs 11:29

Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
~ Proverbs 26:20

 

No matter what may come from any direction, I will do my best to keep the Word close to my heart to know that the things I am going through are not things I will go through alone and that there is purpose for what is happening in my life. I pray for those who have feasted upon evil thoughts and things that entertain their minds would allow Christ to enter their hearts instead.

Walking today...

What a joy to wake in the morning with thankfulness in my heart! Every morning this week I have found I am counting the blessings the Lord has given me already as well as what I will receive one day...blessings that I can't even fathom. I am so amazed at how God works why do I ever stray away from Him?

Lately I have been focusing in my walk with God on how the fruit of the Spirit is working in my life. I try and recite the fruits aloud so that I will remain always thoughtful of where I am spiritually. I ask, "What fruit do I have today?" Where I find that I am lacking then I know I need to seek God further in His word and especially in Prayer.

While doing this, it occurred to me this morning on how much the fruit of the Spirit and the Armor of God go hand in hand, take a look at these verses:

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

Galations 5:22,23

 

"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Ephesians 6:11-18

It is awesome to know that God sent not only Jesus Christ for our salvation but also a strong and Holy Spirit that will lead us through each and every day.

Love

Love brings so much warmth to my heart, it makes me glow inside. I have so many things I could talk about on this subject but since I don't have a lot of time right now, all I can say is thank you Lord for your Love and because of Your love - I have learned to love others so much! Thank you Jesus!

Lift me up

Ever feel like you are just going through the motions of this life? We all do at some point. I have to admit I have been in this rut lately but I still seek and pray. When I do, I am always directed to get back into God's word. Whether I "feel" like it or not. Being in the Word I am always reminded of the joy and love I feel when I remain close with God. I remember where my inspiration for writing comes from and remain hopeful for brighter days like those that I often wrote about. It is also then that I remember that no matter what He is always there and will never leave me.

The Bible, church,family, fellowship with others, and prayer are like that of the Fire ladder you see here. They offer the strength to lift you up when you can't on your own. Like my last post - I am reminded to always seek or find the light, for if I don't my eyes, mind, and heart will remain idle. I admit that I had to remind myself again today that no, I cannot do this on my own. My savior is the one who saves, and I need to remember He is the one I rely on - not myself. 

I was reading a fellow blogger's post today that lifted my spirits back up and encouraged me - I am so grateful for being able to follow and read other people's experiences in their walk whether that be on their blog, through devotionals, or even Facebook. A lot of times this is the only way I feel comfortable to communicate with others during times like this. This big world can make you feel so alone when you choose to just go through the motions and find yourself eventually falling out of seeking the Lord. I am thankful for being lifted up - especially when I need it most.

What am I Searching For?

So I came across an interesting conclusion yesterday. All my life I have been searching and seeking to find out who I am - but I need to be searching and seeking to find out who our Lord Jesus Christ is.

When I am quiet and allow the Spirit to move while seeking answers to my questions - my conversations with the Lord are so bountiful. I can't forget the power His words have to me and I love this gift He gave us so that we could have personal counsel with Him here on this earth.

About a year ago the Holy Spirit confirmed to me a that I have the map (the Bible) and now I need to find the light. Just when I have grown in Christ, I find I have so much more to learn which inspires me to continue seeking Him. That is the awesome thing about our Lord! He is so wondrous and fills my spirit just at the time I need it most! I look forward to each and every moment He answers.

To find light, I know this means seeking out the Light of the World - Jesus. God gave His son as a sacrifice for me and I am still learning more and more every day what this means and all I need to do is to continue seeking Him through prayer, His word, and through fellow believers to allow Him to work in my life so that I may partake of this wonderful gift. I have a long way to go but God has a plan for me in His timing. Each one of us are unique and different and so are all our plans God has for us. Isn't this pretty neat to think about?