Speech…confrontation…

 Speech…confrontation…

Recently I had a confrontation with a local contractor…he had done some work for me in the past and I have since found out that it was done wrong even though it looks great, but it is still wrong…so now it has to be corrected by someone else… as he won’t take responsibility…we had a nice chat…no heated exchange or anything…he walked away without a care in the world…

I do not like confrontation…and can think of a hundred answers/comments after the fact of “what I should have said “…few of which would have been appropriate…so I lay those answers down,  knowing that I have peace in my heart…rather than words NOT aptly spoken…

Paul addresses that speech issue in Colossians 4…how we ought to speak…with graciousness…

Thank YOU…

 

 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Col.4.6

 “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. 

May my teaching drop as the rain,my speech distill as the dew,like gentle rain upon the tender grass,and like showers upon the herb. 

For I will proclaim the name of the Lord;ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect,for all his ways are justice.

A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,just and upright is he.

Deut.32.1-4

 Put away from you crooked speech,and put devious talk far from you.

Prov.4.24

 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,and a word in season, how good it is!

Prov.15.23

 The wise of heart is called discerning,and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

 Prov.16.21

 He who loves purity of heart,and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

Prov.22.11

 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Prov.25.11

 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

2 Cor.6.3-10

 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

2Cor.8.7

 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1Tim.4.12

 

In moments like these…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXMJUg56wzs

Gracious Words….devo…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PzxaC5B30s

Pinewood derby…

 Pinewood derby….

Last night I went to a dinner and pinewood derby races for one of the local Awanas group. Great dinner, great fellowship, great races and competitions…two of my grandsons competed…

The creativeness shown by the competitors is amazing…all within the rules of the car dimensions and weight limits …

“Car Dimension Rules

 The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.

 The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 3⁄4 inches.

 The car must have 1 3⁄4” clearance between the wheels.

 The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the

track.

  Derby Car Weight Rules

 The car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces……”

As I watched , I couldn’t help but think of the verses in Hebrews about our “race” here on earth…then the pastor got up and spoke about the same verses, (we read the Book), as the they were tallying the race results…

At this the local race were the spectators all around cheering on the cars…

The cars has no “drag” to slow them down, they have a designated track, and they have a finish line with more cheering for the winners…they have practiced and practiced to see what works the best for the most speed within the limits…

(I had to chuckle as I reread these verses, after months of physical therapy this past year, lifting up drooping hands and strengthening weak knees has really become a personal picture for myself and all those I met at therapy)….

We have a cheering crowd, we may not see them or know them…as we run our earthly race… there is joy in  the heavens when a sinner repents…God loves us so….

Thank YOU…

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Heb.12.1-3Heb.12.12-13

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. 

They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1Cor.9.24-27

 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke.15.10

Run the race…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvf3_Biu9es

Keep, donate, toss…

 Keep, donate, toss….

I have been purging some areas of my house, especially old paperwork…but other areas need that attention, too…and someday when my family is going through my things, they will wonder “I wonder why she kept that!”…even though I had purged it…..

The idea is to get rid of the stuff that is not needed 

Iike old tax papers, outdated paperwork…in my case old files of lesson plans….update things that need updating…

Closets, outdated foods, etc…

The words KEEP, DONATE, TOSS…need to be emblazoned across the various piles, boxes, trash cans…

We keep the things that bring us joy and that we need… donate usable things to someone else and trash the rest…

In Colossians, Paul addresses our lives…

TRASH….Put to death…what is earthly…sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, lies….

KEEP….Put on….compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, peace, thankfulness, patience, forgiveness, ….love

“DONATE “….  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Col.3.17, 23-24

Thank YOU…

Fun song…

Whatever you do…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1NiYlBSssE

How do I walk…

 How do I walk…

 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Col.2.6

 I try to maintain walking at least 8000 steps per day…that may be at the pool, outside, on a treadmill, around the house, wherever…

This past year and a half has been trying with hip decay, surgery and recovery..I went from the 8000 down to less than 2000 painful steps…the goal was to stay as active as I could, heal and recover strength after surgery, whether in a wheelchair, walker, cane, walking sticks and finally unassisted …persistence, good physical therapists, training, adding new exercises for strength and healing, listening and obeying,  focus…became key elements…it couldn’t be ship-shod or sloppy or there would be no growth or recovery…it had to be applied and used…this all was not without pain of growth…

Our walk in Christ is similar, but with some different elements…

I need diligence in staying in the Word, listening to the Truth of the Holy Spirt….good teaching from Godly pastors, others in my realm…good counsel…right focus on what God is trying to teach me…and then practice,  practice, practice…on a daily basis…and this all is not without pain of growth…as well…

Both include rejoicing in the big and little achievements, praise in all things-painful or not, a right attitude…and thanksgiving…

Thank YOU…

Walk by faith…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnXNTXCYwVs

“Our walk with Gods must be rooted in faith—-and therefore rooted in Him, not us”….

https://www.bibleref.com/Colossians/2/Colossians-2-6.html

Timing.

 Timing….

Several years ago, I heard of a man calling for help…no, not physical help but, spiritual help…he lived on the edge of “nowhere” in Mongolia ..he had heard the gospel via the radio, accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and wanted someone to talk to, training on how to learn and teach others about Christ…

 By the time his call was heeded and answered, he was already leading a small group in his remote area…no Bible, no study guides, but the radio and the Holy Spirit…

Reading Colossians, I can picture Paul sitting there in prison in Rome…asking God, “who would You like me to write to and encourage?”

And God in puts Colosse on his heart…

Strangers , whom Paul had not met and would not visit in his life time became the recipients of a letter which we can still read today…

Epaphras, whom Paul had met, came from Colosse, taught faithfully in the town and the surrounding region.

Paul knew exactly what to say to these believers…God gave him a message…and when we look back historically, there was an earthquake that destroyed the town…not many years after this letter…they needed to hear it ….

So, Paul writes in the first chapter…

“  And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.

 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Col.1.9-20Col.1.28-29

Words of encouragement…building up…confirmation…rememberance…

And when I think of Jesus praying in John 17..

 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John.17.20-21

He was praying for Paul and all those of us who came and have come  after…down through the ages…

Paul may have been in a prison …or this man may have been at the edge of nowhere  in Mongolia…these are not  limits to where God can speak…teach, comfort…no there are no limits to God…He send out…letters, the radio, people to tell the World about His saving grace…

THANK YOU…

Warrior….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqrwLLE1azI

Chapter books…

 Chapter books….

I have a “little “ library at the end of my lane which I keep stocked with children’s books, holiday items, a variety of books… someone lately has been filling it more and more with a variety of books as well…others in the neighborhood contribute and take books as well…fun to do…fun to look for appropriate books…I do keep some Christian books and scriptures in there as well…and clear out the books and restock periodically…it has become a community thing…

The other day, two little brothers were going through the books when I came out with some more…I had not seen them before, and  new to the neighborhood…so I asked what kind of books they liked so I could be on the lookout for their interests…

The older one, 9, smiling proudly, said, “ oh, I can read “chapter books” now…but my brother still needs the beginner ones.”

 The good thing is that they both read…

Coming to the “end “ of Acts, made me think of this little boy and his “chapter” books…

Those usually have a beginning, the storyline, the characters….the “who, what, when, where” information…the climax, the resolution and finally an ending…

And we have those with the book of Acts…except there is no ending…no finishing off with final greetings, blessings …

It is a “chapter “ book that is still being written…and we are a part of that, two thousand years later…people lives are still impacted by the Word…all over the World…there are still people like the apostles going out into the world telling the good news, there are still people being imprisoned for their faith, there are still personal “chapters” being lived and reported…

 “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. 

From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say,“You will indeed hear but never understand,and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 

For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear,and their eyes they have closed;

lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

Acts.28.23-31

Revelations and other scriptures tell us the future …but, God has no end…we can keep on “reading”..

Thank YOU…. 

Great is Your faithfulness to me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlKYLXdgDD4

Politics…the good, the bad and the ugly…

 Politics….the good, the bad and the ugly….

I have not wanted to make this blog step into the arena of politics…but, this article came  across my path and I had to share it…

No matter what side or party I may fall into…right now I am having a hard time…I have never seen such division, chaos, in my life time…even the 1960’s didn’t seem so bad as we see now…

But, looking through the ages of man, there have been times of chaos…just reading through the Scriptures …time and time again as nation rose against  nation, brother against brother….judgment and peace, or the historical time line of civilizations around the world, there were times of peace and others of chaos…pride, power, the lust for power has remained the same…it just was not  so televised, so instant…

 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

1Tim.2.1-6

 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.

Ps.34.13-14

 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with the humble is wisdom.

Prov.11.2

 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. 

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Prov.21.24,Prov.21.21,Prov.21.31

John 17…Jesus praying for us…

 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. 

For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. 

Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? 

Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good.

 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.

 For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 

For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Rom.13.1-7

 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 

You also, be patient.

 Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

Jas.3.16-18,Jas.5.7-9

2 Peter 2…

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

1John.2.15,1John.2.16,1John.2.17,1John.2.28

 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matt.6.33

Thank YOU…

Seek ye first…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBpM9IcBts

My Peace…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls01XGV7oA0

 

https://www.biblestudytools.com/slideshows/12-warning-signs-that-politics-are-becoming-an-idol.html??utm_source=Today%27s+Bible+Breakout&utm_campaign=Today%27s+Bible+Breakout+-+BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=9328706&recip=552512235&aps=73fb194647ff2ed9a29f3b614b19e5f7aafd6f5c6b595d508e2bb56868dde66c&lctg=552512235

Nothing to write…

 Nothing to write….

Paul spoke words of truth so that others couldn’t find any fault worthy of sending him to Rome…but, he had appealed to go to Rome…

Reading this, I wondered if what I say or do will be worthy of standing before the King…my appeal is that I have believed and have faith that Jesus died for me, a sinner, and because of that basis, I have eternal life with Him in heaven…I believe that He died and rose again, paid the price for my redemption…

I probably won’t have to stand before any earthly king to give my testimony, nor argue before a magistrate or local ruler…but, I would hope that by my actions and/or words, neither would have anything to condemn me, except for a stand for Jesus…the most important…

In the fast changing world we live in, this may happen…for anyone…and is happening for many in countries of less freedom…and even here for some…

Thank YOU…

  “But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” 

Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Acts.25.26-27Acts.26.30-32

 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2Tim.4.2-5

 A word fitly spoke is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Prov.25.11

 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Eph.4.1-7

 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. 

Be at peace among yourselves.

1Thess.5.12-13

 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus.2.7-8

 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1Tim.6.18-19

Be pleasing to you…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9O1GPUqn8M

 Just ready for music…

Thank YOU…

Still…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n6dfB2Z-Ko

Praise and worship songs…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOmTINlRhxM

Valentine’s Day dinners…

 

Valentine’s Day dinners…

.          I found this plaque for sale…

The first church couple’s dinner I can remember with my husband was very pre-children…they had games for couples, blind folds for the wives to be able to pick  out their husbands by feeling their hands…we actually won…(my husband had really nobby wrist bones)…

Then the husbands  had to pick out their wives by their bare feet…

Lots of laughs and lots of years have ensued since then… we are more formal now, dinner served by the dressed-up teens, love songs sang by 

professionals, twinkling lights hung around the sanctuary, fancy centerpieces…

It is nostalgic and a bit lonely as a widow going to valentine’s dinners…where once we sat as a couple, now no more…but good memories abound, there are still good times, good memories…knowing what I know now, I would still do it all again…with some changes…but, mostly not…we would still go through the hard times to make the goods times better…I would still say yes to the proposal…I would still go through times of meagerness to enjoy the times of abundance…I would still go through the sorrows to learn the lessons of faith, commitment, care…

God has been faithful through so much…in the floods , in the storms…in the abundance, in the scarce…in sickness and in health…..even in the deaths…

So as I watch others navigate through life, the young couples, the middle aged couples and the aged  ones…there are still lessons to learn…

Hold each others hands, smile at one another, talk to one another…encourage one another, bear with one another, live…love…be faithful, be grateful, seek God…study His Word…pray with one another…

Besides, he was a saint to put up with me…

Thank YOU…

 fear not, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Isa.41.10

 But now thus says the Lord,he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by name, you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you.

Isa.43.1-2

Nothing can separate us…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nITQhuAkPU

Some secular love songs…but, our dinner singers were much better…

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m0TfE83kH2s

In need of courage….

 Take courage… 

Intrigue….two men needed courage in Acts 23…Paul was spoken to directly from the Lord…

 “ The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Acts.23.11

But, also, his nephew could’ve needed some courage to enter the barracks, speak to Paul, the prisoner…then speak to the centurion…finally to the tribune…and to do the right thing…

 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Acts.23.16-22

Paul was so well educated, did he think of David’s words in the Psalms? They are so fitting…

 Teach me your way, O Lord,and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;for false witnesses have risen against me,and they breathe out violence. 

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 

Wait for the Lord;be strong, and let your heart take courage;wait for the Lord!

Ps.27.11-14

 Love the Lord, all you his saints!The Lord preserves the faithful but  abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,all you who wait for the Lord!

Ps.31.23-24

Thank YOU…

Your words were fitting for Paul and just as fitting for us today…when we face adversaries….

 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 

And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.

2Chr.15.7, 15

Speak Jesus…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiaVb8j_nbw

 Generous…

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

Matt.5.40

 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke.6.38

Generous Giver…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5JowPZH-w

This goes along with a Facebook entry of a little boy taking off his shoes it give to a man who had no legs, but was using his bare hands to help him walk…the boy put his shoes on the man’s hands …touching…

Love never ends…

 Love never ends…

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1Cor.13.4-8a, 13

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Heb.13.8

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev.1.8

 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matt.28.19-20

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

 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John.3.16-17

 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.”

John.13.34-35

Thank YOU…

Happy Valentine’s Day ….

This is Love…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnLlBk0Dp8M

Love…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv6pR8papxk

Jesus loves me this I know…

 Jesus loves me this I know….

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

1Cor.13.4-6

Jesus is kind and patient…He does not envy or boast; He is not arrogant or rude…He does not insist on His own way….He is not irritable or resentful…He does not rejoice in wrong doing….He rejoices in truth…

When I think of the love chapter of 1 Corinthians, I usually think of how I treat others or how we treat one another…but, Jesus is the real picture of love…

Thank YOU….

 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus .3.4-7

https://bibilium.com/jesus-loves-me-this-i-know-jesus-loves-me-song/

Jesus loves me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXBqIlvvdP8

 

When God created you…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jg4d7Gkbyc

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon…

 Valentine's Day is on the horizon …

Two days away…

We live in a world that needs love…not just the mushy, gushy love, but the real kind of love that comes from a loving father…we need it not just once a year, but every moment…the kind that saves, encourages, gives us breath, comforts, provides, holds us up when we are down, never wavers or leaves, speaks truth, prepares an eternal home, lights our world ….

 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you. 

Because you are precious in my eyes,and honored, and I love you,I give men in return for you,peoples in exchange for your life.

Isa.43.2,4

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude….

1Cor.13.4-5a

Thank YOU….

The Love of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1vTPqN2rY8

Falling Love…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLlQOwnsexU

 

https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2

“Cute Valentine's Day Quotes 

Better than anything written on a Conversation Heart, these cute Valentine's Day quotes boast sentiments as sweet as sugar. 

• "We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when you find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love, true love." —Robert Fulghum
• 'You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." —Dr. Seuss
• "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." —When Harry Met Sally
• "Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be." —Robert Browning
• "You don't love someone because they're perfect; you love them in spite of the fact that they're not." —Jodi Picoult
• "When you're lucky enough to meet your one person, then life takes a turn for the best. It can't get better than that." —John Krasinski
• "Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." —Franklin P. Jones
• "I love you very much, probably more than anybody could love another person." —50 First Dates
• "Some people are worth melting for." —Frozen
• "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." —Charles M. Schulz
• "You are my greatest adventure." —The Incredibles”………From the Knot….

He would not be deterred….

 

He would not be deterred….

Super Bowl weekend…it inevitably comes around this time every year…foods are prepared, guests invited, sales include the postscript , plans are made…and game on…and oh, by the way, commercials are made…some are iconic, some are duds…but lots of hype for whole game….

I was reminded that this is Apple’s 40 anniversary of a 

Super Bowl ad…interesting…how the world has changed since …with computers, for good and ill…we can carry the whole Bible in our wristwatch…I can look up what kind of operating systems have looked at this blog and where in the world it goes….amazing…

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/why-apples-iconic-super-bowl-ad-still-resonates-4-decades-later-151027182.html

There are other iconic scenes as well…we don’t have pictures of the birth of Christ, not his death and resurrection, but we have the written 

Word…this, too, has changed the world…we have His eternal Word to show us how to live with him…how to be saved…

We don’t have pictures of Paul as he resolutely journeyed to Jerusalem to face certain imprisonment for his stand for Christ…his journeys in the known world changed  the world as well… he gave it all for His Lord…we have many letters of his in the Bible…showing how to live, day to day on our journey here on earth…and much more…

 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” 

When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,

Acts 21.12-14,.21:17-20

From the beginning of time, the world has changed with new inventions…but the Word Still Stands, it hasn’t  changed…it changes us…

Thank YOU…

In Christ alone….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ld1wI2hT8