Valentine Rebellion?

Valentine's Day. People either love it or hate it. The dividing line seems to be having a significant other or not having one. The other dividing line might also be male versus female. Whatever side you find yourself joining this year, you can be sure that the majority of us will be disappointed.

The history of Valentine's Day has not always been one of cards, chocolates and roses. you can read about the holiday and its uncertain past on line. I have another agenda to propose with this blog.

I am married and have been in love with my husband for 43 years. I like little gifts and sweet confections from him. I also like to receive loving messages from him from time to time.I am not rebelling against letting your Valentine know you love them and are blessed to have them in your life. I am rebelling of the bombardment of the media that pushes the populace into buying rich gifts to show love. Again, I am not opposed to gifts. I just don't think they always represent true love.

True love is a choice we make that we want the very best for another person. Real love may at times offer special presents, but it is being present in that persons life that really matters. It does not please the other in order to get something in return. True love can be directed to a family member, spouse, friend, or even a stranger. It is a choice we make to put the other person ahead of ourselves.

People have shown me real love in many different ways. Here are a few:
* sitting by my side in a hospital room.
* talking things over even though the topic is difficult.
* letting me go first, or going first so I can follow.
* writing me a letter when it is hard for them to do.
* calling me on the phone just to see if I am well.
* praying for me.
* being there when things go wrong. Not blaming me when it is my fault things went wrong.
* knowing my faults and staying by my side anyway.

I could go on but I think you get my point. Everyone needs love. Everyone needs a Valentine every day. This is a tough world! We need each other.

Valentine's Day is a day to love others, not just those with which we have paired ourselves. So now we come to the rebellion. This year I choose to rebell against having just one Valentine. I choose to love those I meet along my way. I choose to send a note of love to everyone that I remember on this day. I will not limit the love. Instead I will let God's love flow through me for all, because "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.

I welcome you to join me!

God You are Love. You are the greatest Love! Forgive us for not loving each other as You have loved us. Thank You that You sent Your only Son to show us how to love. Fill us today with the Love that fills You!

Belated Valentine

I was kept busy yesterday and did not get to write a Valentine blog, so I am here to send a timeless Valentine message to all my readers.

There is a Valentine for everyone. St. Valentine, for whom the day is named, sent messages from his prison cell, not to his wife or girlfriend, but to everyone who would listen. His message was that God loved us. Valentine told the story about The God who sent Jesus to live with us, die for us, and then live again in our hearts! This is good news! It is the best valentine message for all people.

Our Valentine's Day has become a romantic card and gift day for couples. Those without a special someone find Valentines Day lonely and maybe depressing, but there is good news as I have said. No one needs to feel rejected or unlovable. Everyone has a very special Someone to love them and for them to love!

God, the Creator of all, longs to love and be loved by His greatest creation, people. He did everything possible to make it happen even while we still rejected and ran away from His advances toward us. He is a committed lover. He gave everything to bring people back into His loving embrace.

It is a wonderful gift to have a mate or special person in our lives, but the greatest love we can enjoy is the love God offers. Today my message of love comes directly from Him. He loves you with an eternal love.

Loving and Eternal God, You are the Valentine we all desire. You are the Perfect Lover. I am so very sorry for the times I toss aside Your love for the lesser loves of this world. Forgive me! Thank You for never failing to be there when I call to You. Thank You for loving me when I am so very unlovable. Thank You for being Love itself! Let me know Your love and share it with everyone I meet. Let me be Your valentine to the people I meet. I want to love others like You have loved me.

Proverbs Eighteen

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

I love the whispered words of my Heavenly Father when He shares His love for me. I am strengthened by the whispered words of encouragement that my Savior and Friend, Jesus, gives when reminding me that He really does understand how hard the world is towards those who trust in God alone. I am filled with hope when the Holy Spirit whispers words of guidance or even correction. I truly love the voice of God speaking into my life!

There is power in a whisper. When I want my husband or even my little grandchildren to listen to me, a whisper becomes my loud speaker. For some odd reason a whisper commands the other person to be quiet and really take notice. I don't use my soft voice often enough!

Elijah was a man of God.God told him to go to the mount and stand before the Lord. "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." (I Kings 19:11-13 ESV)

The Lord spoke in a "Thin silence" as the Hebrew words translated as "...a still small voice." This is the voice God uses to work deep into our souls. He uses this "thin silence" to make known His power in a gentle way. It is this voice that I long to hear every day. It is this voice that makes me know I am loved and safe. Only His voice can whisper those delicious morsels that go deep into the inner parts of me.

Holy and Most Powerful God, You are my joy and my delight! You veil Your power in quiet whispers so that I can know Your powerful love and protection. Forgive me when I turn my ear away from You, the only One in whom I can trust. Thank You for never turning away from me. Thank you for Your whispers of love, strength, encouragement, hope and correction! You are so wonderful! Open my ears that I might hear. Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mouth that I might repeat Your goodness to others!

Proverbs Eight

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

Proverbs 8:35 For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord.

Seeking and finding. I am reminded of playing hide and seek as a child. Looking in every hiding place to find friends who are trying to avoid me. Hmmmm. Is God hiding?

I guess in some ways God is hiding. He is asking us to diligently seek Him. He is in plain sight yet we do not recognize Him immediately. I also think that He knows our need to have adventure. When we believe a treasure exists, we will look for it. He wants to be our treasure. He wants to be our prize!

I am so glad God promises the finding. There is no doubt that He wants to reveal Himself to us. We desire and crave love. Love is our motivation to seek the only One who is love. We love Him by seeking Him daily. In loving Him and seeking Him we find Love and life.

Lord God, You have designed us to love. Life itself is a gift of love from You. Seeking You is hard sometimes. I see the hard things in life and my vision is clouded. I have difficulty finding You in the hard times. forgive me for not looking deeper. Thank You for Your creation where You hide in plain view! Help me to find You and never let me give up the search!

Anniversary Musings

A good morning kiss becomes a sweet and tender moment blessing the new day with knowing we are together.

A call from work cut short by pressing duties is still cherished because we made a connection with a few words in the middle of our busy day.

Thinking of each other, remembering the past and celebrating today with cards, gifts and a dinner out becomes a party for two.

Making vows again to start another year is the commitment and promise to love when it is hard, to stay when we want to go, to face the opposition together not apart.

This is our 38th anniversary. Our today. Our celebration. We are deeply grateful to God for the gift of each other. We give thanks for the grace and blessings poured into our lives. It has been a good day!

Father God, Author and Builder of the marriage covenant and bond, we give You thanks! You have given us good gifts in each other and throughout our lives. Yes, there are times when we fail to see the gift and only see the struggle. Forgive us. Open our hearts each day to see Your blessing in the face of our spouse. Teach us to recognize You in each other and let us live together with You in eternity!

Trading Places

When my children were small I would often get down on their level and take a look around. Seeing things from their viewpoint gave me an appreciation for their struggles to understand their world. Things look very different when looking at them from someone else's point of view.

Babies who crawl on the floor see furniture as mountains and those little pieces of lint as interesting tidbits to taste. Outlets are decorations on the wall to explore. There are dark and scary places to hide or that hide wonderful things to explore. Babies are curious about their world. They need to be protected from the dangers around them, but most adults miss those dangers. We don't see what the baby sees until we are made aware of the baby reaching out for the item that is taboo for them. We can learn to understand if we take the time to see things from their perspective.

There is wisdom in trading spaces with others, not just babies. I find that when I think about someone else's day as if it were mine, I find more compassion and empathy. My husband needs me to put myself in his place once in awhile. My friends need me to think about their perspective before I offer advice or rebuke. I even ask what Jesus would think about a situation sometimes. It may not change what I have to say, but it will change how I say it.

Trading Spaces with someone is not done in reality. It is done in our thoughts. It is not a perfect experience, but we can come close. The truth is that even the effort makes the other person feel loved. People need to know that we have tried to put ourselves into their place: their financial downfall, or boon, their marriage or divorce, the loss of a loved one or the birth of a child. There is an endless list of places where we can travel when trying to connect with others.

I believe it helps to ask gentle questions. Questions reveal that we want to understand. However, we should be careful to ask more about feelings than about facts. It is in the emotions that we connect with each other.

Dearest Lord Jesus, You traded places with us and You know the places in which we live. You are all knowing and yet, You asked questions so that we would know You cared. Thank You for making the effort. Help us to make the effort with others. Forgive us when we don't even try.

Taking a Stand

It is not often that I speak up about where I stand. I don't need to because it seems I can be read by most people when I feel strongly about something. In leadership, however, there comes a time when it is mandatory to make a statement that clarifies my position. I am standing in one of those places now.

My position is to stand firmly on God's word without giving in to popular opinion or the fear of hurting someones feelings. The issue is complicated. Though I might not reveal the issue here today, I can assure you that I have prayed, studied, and weighed the issue for a long time. I do not claim to have a definitive answer, but I remain firm in believing God's word on the subject.

My spirit is solid. My feelings are tender. The conflict is in knowing my steeled stance will hurt someone I care about. My hope is that the pain will be the catalyst that will turn them to Christ and the Truth.

Those affected by my taking a stand will undoubtedly see me as being unloving and uncaring. They may also see the place where I stand as a judgement seat. It is so far from the truth! I do love them and care for them. More importantly Jesus loves them and cares for them. He suffered so that they would know His love forever. I do not place myself as judge over them, but I do stand near the Judge and claim Him the Righteous Judge. His judgement is right.

My desire is that when I speak up, my friend will see that I care, and finally see what she tries so hard to disguise.

Righteous Judge and Father, You have taught me how to leave the judgement in Your hands. you have shown me my own sin in light of the cross so that I no longer can stand in judgement upon others. It is all between You and the individual. But, Lord, there are many times when I use that as an excuse to not speak up or stand firm on the Truth You have given us. Forgive me, Lord! Help me to stand close to You against every sin, mine first and then others. Thank You for judging rightly. Thank You for seeing our hearts. Thank You for providing us all with a Savior in Jesus The Christ!

Making a Choice

One of the hardest things to tell young people in love is that love is a choice you make daily, not a feeling or emotion you hope will last forever.

When Patrick and I talk to young couples in love, we always tell them about love as a choice.
We often ask those we counsel if they think Jesus felt the sweet tingly feeling of new love when He hung on the cross. They can't imagine that, but we know that He was on the cross because of His great love for us. No, He did not feel gushy mushy kind of feelings for us while He was tortured, but He did love us.

The same holds true for married couples. When we are hurt by our mates, we do not feel tenderhearted or the emotion of love for them. But we can always choose to love despite the hurt. Love can bring us warm tender sweet feelings, but those will not last. I think that is what the wedding vows say. I choose to love you in sickness and health, with riches or in poverty. Whatever comes your way you always have a choice to love. It is not always easy but it is possible.

Our choice to love joins our hearts and our will in an amazing bond. Love truly is the greatest! There is nothing like it! Feelings are made subject to our will when we choose to love. Love does not depend on the other persons' performance, because the choice has been made by the other.

Perfect Love, You are the Giver of the best gift of all: Love. You are the Perfect Love we all seek. Our love falls far short of the perfection You want us to experience, and yet You always love, You always give. Thank You! Open our hearts and our minds to the truth of true love. Guide us to make the right choice, the choice to love like You do!

A Bit of Heaven

Babies are a lot of work. Grandbabies are a lot of fun! Today I worked hard most of the day, but taking care of my Grandman, Jacob, and my Grandlady, Abigail, became a fun grandparenting excursion that I don't think I will ever forget.

As the time drew near for mommy to pick up Jacob, and Daddy to pick up Abigail, I sat them next to one another on the floor in front of me. We love music so I put on Kenny Rogers and the Lettermen and began to sing and interact with each of them. They may be very young but they both love music and enjoy each others' company. Jacob rolled from side to side swinging his legs on top of Abi. She didn't mind. In fact she would smile and reach for Jake touching his hand gently or sometimes grabbing for it! It was playtime!

Jacob began to laugh at me. Maybe I was singing off key, or maybe my hair was just a bit messed up. I don't know, but it sure made him laugh! Maybe he was just having as much fun as I was! I picked him up and sat him on my lap singing to him. He leaned into me laying his head on my breast. We sat there loving each other till the song ended. It was a tender sweet moment between Grandma and Grandman.

When I put Jacob down I saw Abigail look at me as if she were saying, "It's my turn now!" so I picked her up and sat her on my knee singing to her. As if she had learned a lesson from her older cousin, she leaned in to lay her head on my breast giving me a gentle hug. Another sweet and tender moment, this time between Grandma and Grandlady.

Maybe these stories can only be understood through a Grandparents' experience, but I can tell you it is a bit of heaven here on earth to hold your child's child and sense their love. It must have been a bit like that for Jesus when He held the little children in His arms. The love of those children must have reminded Him of the dear sweet tender love that heaven breathes. Jesus brought heaven to us, and the love of the little children assured Him that heaven can also live within us.

Father in heaven, You are the life breath that we need. You are heaven in our hearts. I often close my eyes and imagine laying my head on Your breast like a little child who loves You and needs You so much. Too many times I try to act so grown up. I think I have everything in control. I know I don't when I let myself rest in Your arms. Thank You for being my Daddy. Thank You for breathing Your love into me every time I come to You as a lost and frightened child. Fill me with childlike wonder. Teach me to grow up into being Your child.

The Family Tree

Last night I began transferring birthdays from my old calendar to the new. In doing so, I discovered that I was missing a few names. New babies have arrived and I have forgotten to include their little leaves on the family tree. New spouses have come into the fold too. It isn't just the names that are important to me. I like to keep the birthdays and anniversaries as well.

I guess I will be updating my address book, family file as well as the calendar. I like doing it, but finding the time is a problem. This could be a year long project if I let it be, but it does not need to be completely updated as long as I do have names.

Filling up the family tree reminds me of the genealogy lists in the bible. Many people overlook them and consider them boring. For me, I read through them with care. I don't always find interesting bits of information in those lists, but sometimes I am surprised. Mostly, I just read names. Names of people long dead, but real people none-the-less. Like the credits at the end of a movie, God wants to give credit where it is due. Because God is interested in the people behind the names, I feel I should give them at least a bit of my time.

By taking time to read the lists, I have become aware that God is interested in individuals. He knows us by name. He wants our names written in the Lambs Book of Life. He does not need us to be famous or well known to consider us important. I try to remember those things when I work on the family lists. Each name is important and each person is loved by God.

Father, Creator God, Your name is above every name! Knowing that You know my name and call be by name into Your presence and Your service is a great honor! Thank You for considering me important enough to know my name. Help me to be mindful of others who would like me to remember their name, too! Teach me to value what You value and love the way You love!

Kiss

Tonight I enjoyed the Singing Trees production of first Baptist Church Orlando. It was delightful! I came away with a special feeling. During the performance I would watch the lights twinkle and glimmer all around the faces of those in the choir. The voices sparkled too! It was a night filled with light! I felt lightened!

It was during the singing of the favorite carol, Silent Night, that a most unusual thought came to me. I closed my eyes and listened to those many voices blend in harmony and I imagined Jesus' birth as a kiss from God to the earth. Yes, a kiss. The vision was of God, holding the earth in His powerful, creative and gentle hands, and lifting it to His lips in a kiss of a Father loving his new baby. Jesus became the kiss of love, Gods' expression of love to the world.

The thought brought tears to my eyes.

Father, thank You for loving me! Thank You for loving the entire world! You are a good Father. You deserve my love.

My Birthday

Today is my birthday! God has been pleased to give me another year of life on this earth. I am blessed to have 59 years of testimony of God's rich blessings. I pray that my life gives God glory!

This morning as I awoke to a new day and a new beginning towards another year of living, I thought that life is amazing! We celebrate each year heading toward a doorway that leads to eternal living! I am so happy to have Jesus' presence today and to be assured of His presence in the future!

Life is chosen. We choose life when we chose God's way of living. God gives and sustains life. We chose to receive and enjoy each day as it comes! For me there is no fear of death. Only life awaits for me when my days end. Today I will celebrate this day and all the past days I have been given. Today I rejoice in living and the blessings of lives that surround me with love!

Father of Life! Giver of breath and living water that sustains and transforms me, thank You for my life. Thank You for the lives of those who love me, including Your Son Jesus! I pray that my every breath will breathe in Your life so that I might exhale life into those who are suffering and dying without You! My life is Yours! In this I will be happy!

In Need Or In Want

Decisions need to be made. Hard decisions. The question I ask myself is how is our helping this person going to make a difference?

Sunday mornings' service included a plug for The Empty Plate drive. We buy bags of groceries to distribute to people who are in need. We read I John 3:16-18 together as a congregation. In the ESV it is written like this: "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth."

Love moves us to act on the behalf of those who are in need. A true need demands our loving attention. We, who are loved by God must love as He loves. But what is our love to look like when it becomes apparent that the need is never filled and there is no change in the hand that reaches out for more? I am not saying this about true needs like a person incapable of providing sustenance for life on his own. What do we do for able bodied, intelligent people who continue to choose a path that keeps them from becoming responsible for their own actions.

Could it be that their true need is not being met? Could it be that we are handing them what they want instead of giving them what they really need? To withhold my help may be exactly what they need to finally see their dead end road. Some people have called this tough love and it is. It is tough to see a loved one or even a stranger living a life wanting someone else to care for them, while they continue to enjoy their vices. It is tough for them to finally face their truth and do without the handout.

The next question arises as to when do we say "No?" Can we say no to some things and yes to others? How would Jesus handle the problem? This is certainly not an easy decision to make. We can only judge by the fruits, not by how we feel. We also must look for underlying needs instead of just the most obvious. The best way to decide is to converse with God in prayer.

All-Knowing and All-Loving Father, You alone can see and know the hearts of men. You alone can see and know their true needs. You know me, and still I ask You to search my heart and see if there is any offensive wicked way in me that needs to be corrected in this struggle. I want to obey your word and yet, I so often try to play Your part instead of seeking Your wisdom to know my part in helping others. Thank You for supplying all our needs, even the needs of those who seem so needy. You may call me to supply their needs, so I ask You to show me the way. Teach me Your truth and help me discern needs from wants not only in others but in myself!

Light My fire

Last night after dinner, Patrick and I continued to celebrate our anniversary with reading our vows to each other as we do every year. We then drove home and decided to do something new. We dug out the extra fireworks from the Fourth of July and lit them! It was fun!

Lighting the fireworks took preparation and effort from both of us. We needed a bucket of water and a working lighter. Then trying to light them with the wind blowing was a bit tricky. When the fuse finally took, it wasn't long before we enjoyed the sparkles, crackles and whistles!

It was much like marriage. Preparations are made for the ceremony and every couple can benefit from the preparation for the uniting of their two lives. Discussing the tough issues is not always fun, but necessary. It is best to get a good start on those talks before the vows are said. In every marriage each person needs to be willing to light the spark of romance and love. We also need to make sure we are prepared to douse out the flames of arguments before they get out of control. Preparing for the party is only part of what engagements are about.

There is plenty of opposition to lighting the spark of love each day. Yes, every day the choice must be made to light the fire of love between spouses. Just like the wind last night, the world and the enemy can swiftly make that decision difficult if not impossible! Busyness, irritations, selfishness, and much more can whip up the winds of adversity that fight the flame, and your best efforts. Last night Patrick and I had to huddle together to get most of the fuses lit. We even had to get a new lighter at one point. It is important to do what you need to, and don't give up! The rewards are ready to be enjoyed.

The display of light, color and snaps and pops last night brought cheers and delighted the neighborhood! We had fun! It was worth the effort to push through and make it all happen. The lesson to learn is that marriage can be a fireworks display of delight or a fizzled out disappointment depending on the effort and commitment of both husband and wife. I think God planned it that way!

Creator God, You are the author of marriage. You make a miracle in uniting us together as one flesh in marriage. We can never make it work without You! Thank You for giving us the tools to make it work. Help us to choose wisely each day. Help us to love one another and show us the fireworks!

Marriage

37 years ago Patrick and I celebrated our wedding day. Our lives together really started about a year before that. When we met we had no idea that today would be a day of celebrating so much of our lives together. We simply enjoyed being with each other and began to fall in love over deep conversations, and Taco Bell.

We still enjoy deep conversations, but not too much Taco Bell. We have grown to admire each others' strengths, and forgive our weaknesses. We have learned to appreciate our differences. Disappointments and disillusionment have been sprinkled with love making those tough times become teachable moments for each of us as individuals and as a couple. We choose to remember the joys and delights that have lifted us to heights we never would have reached if we had not been committed to each other.

After 37 years we do know some of what it takes to make a marriage work. I admit we have much we do not know. We have yet to face a life threatening illness. We have not had to live with disability in each other or our children. Our lives have not been touched by infidelity or a major breech of trust. We don't need to experience these things to have a good marriage. Our experience has not and probably will never be an example of a perfect marriage, but our desire is to be a living example of Christ and the Church.

When one of us fails the other will sacrifice and forgive. We will work together to see that we each will be all that God has designed us to be. We will be the beacon of light and a tree that gives shade as we live out our vows. today we repeat those vows with the trust that we cannot fulfill them without the help of God. (If you want to read our vows to each other I will post them on my Poetry Impressed blog. You can find it at http://www.poetryimpressed.blogspot.com)

God, our Father, You have made us man and wife. You have blessed us with Your presence in our marriage and I thank You! You continue to help us fight the enemy and the world that would diminish our resolve to love each other through all of our days. Today we look back over the years and see Your blessing and faithfulness. We trust in You to get us through to the end. Draw us closer to the goal. Draw us closer to You! We will always remember that a threefold cord is not quickly broken!

Clutter

I've been collecting clutter for years. Recently I have been ridding myself of much of that clutter and making plans to lose it all little by little. Why did I collect it all when I would eventually throw it away?

When looking back over my bits and pieces of miscellaneous papers, books, trinkets and unused items, I remember my thoughts. I remember that most items are kept because I don't want to forget. Funny that in all the mess of my clutter I forgot about them anyway! My files are full, but I seldom look through them to find something obscure that I thought I would not want to forget. I am finding that there are many things I can enjoy for a season and then it will be okay to forget.

I also have looked and many items, even broken pieces, as something I can use again someday. I do use many things in my junk box. Actually I call it my craft box. It is easier to keep things that are craft pieces than plain junk. I've had to tell myself the truth about much of that pile of junk. It simply takes up space, and saving something I might use twenty years from now is hording! If I can't use it soon, I should give it to someone who can.

When I look at my prayer list I sometimes think it, too, is cluttered. It is cluttered with people I love and care about and their needs. Healings, finances, relationships, and many other requests clutter my days and thoughts. I pray for each as those thoughts float through my mind. I can't stop this clutter. To stop it would take away the love, and I have found that the more my love grows the less cluttered my life feels about the people who need the touch of God. Besides, I am probably someone else's clutter!

Loving Father, You have shown Your heart and it is big enough to encompass the entire world! You love eternally and fully. You never push out the clutter of human need. I am sometimes overwhelmed by the small circle of needs that surround me. I want to stop the clutter and clear my life of others' problems, but then, a friend comes hurting and needing Your touch. Thank You for sending Your Spirit of Love that stretches my heart and makes room for one more. Thank You for helping me declutter the world around me so that I have room for Your love and the people You love. Thank You for letting me clutter Your life, Lord!

Spiritual Warfare

We have an enemy that is unseen. We may not see his person, but we certainly know he exists and intends to do evil towards us. We hear his voice tempting us to join him in the evil he plans for ourselves, our families and others. The world does his bidding without much thought. As Christians we must recognize who is setting a plan before us and resist the Evil Ones' enticement no matter how convincing he makes it.

The knowledge that we have an unseen enemy can be frightening, but knowing that we have a Greater God to turn to for help is empowering. God is love and there is great power in love. It is our strongest weapon against evil. No good can come by trying to defeat evil with more evil.

Last night I caught the last part of a show on tv. I think it was Primetime. They were discussing that there are some people who have a certain type of brain function (or lack thereof) that are predisposed to murder. Studies seem to conclude that DNA and brain activity can be factors in determining why some people commit murder after seemingly living a normal life.

The most interesting part about the show was that the researcher began to talk to his mother, who encouraged him to study his family history. It seems his father had a linage of murderers on his family tree, including Lizzie Bordon. He then did studies on himself, his mother, wife and children. The results were surprising in that only one person had the genetic and brain function the same as those of killers he had studied. He had both residing in himself.

Why had he not exhibited the traits seen in the lives of those he studied? He knew there had to be a mitigating factor. He determined that it was the overwhelming love he experienced as a child and as an adult. He was drenched in the love of his family. The power of love successfully overcame his seemingly evil tendencies. He did not mention a spiritual source of the love given but certainly God is the God of all true love experiences.

So what does this have to do with me and you? I think it speaks clearly about the need for love in our lives if we are to overcome the temptations of the Evil One. We must have an unlimited source of love. We must have God!

God You are Love. You are the Source and Power of Love in the world. You are the only defense against the enemy who seeks to steal kill and destroy us. Lord, I want to love, but I so often fail to love purely or to love the unlovable. Thank You for proving to me that it is possible to love those who do not deserve it. Thank You for demonstrating love that comes from choosing not feeling. Help me to love. Let me be a vessel to pour Your love out to a hurting world. I need You and I need Your love!

Standing Watch Continued

Yesterday I told you about my friend who is taking his last steps here on earth and slowly drawing near to his eternal reward. I spoke yesterday about us standing watch while he travels his journey. I also mentioned that God understands because He stood watch as His Son, Jesus, took the journey. Today I am contemplating another aspect: Was there anyone else who stood watch for Jesus?

The answer is "Yes." There were many who stood watch while Jesus died. Scripture tells us there were people all around, but not all stood watch. Most of the people around the cross were there to mock or do their duty, making certain He died, that the order of execution was complete. Some were just passing by. There was also John, near Jesus' Mother, and other women who had followed Him and ministered to Him. Those were there to stand watch.

I've been asking myself what it means to stand watch. What is the purpose if we cannot change the course of matters? Is it for the dying or is it for the living who are being left behind? For me I think I must stand watch for both.

I stand watch in prayer for the one making the journey. He, like we all, need to know we have been loved. He needs to know he will be remembered. We all want that. We all want our lives to matter to others. Standing watch says, "Yes, you do matter to me!"

I stand in watch for those who are closest to the sojourner. Their loneliness is greatest as they watch their loved ones depart. They need the warmth of friends to stand nearby and to offer comfort. They also need to know their loved one was loved and will be remembered by others.

It takes courage, faith, hope, and great love to stand watch.

Father, Again I come to tell You that You are more than enough for us at times like these. You are our strength and hope. We can never fill all that our loved ones need at this time. Thank You for caring, understanding, and loving us through it all. Be with Will as he lets go of this world and all he loves in it. Be with Carol as she lets go of Will and all she loves about having him here with her! We trust You in all things.

Lists

I have a long list of things needing to get done. As I cross off one it seems that two or three more show up! I like my lists. I like knowing what I need to do and what I've finished. They are a visual reminder that I am moving toward my goals.

Lists are not always complete. There are always surprises that come into my day that were not on any paper, or even in my thoughts! Sometimes those little surprises are from God, but they can also be from the enemy who would keep me from the tasks God has already given me. It is also true that some things I have put on my list are not things I should be spending my time doing. They may not be wrong, but they keep me from my purpose.

I find that I like lists for my Christian walk too. I want a list of dos and don'ts. I want to check up on what is right and wrong. Though I may like the Christian to-do list, I know that a relationship cannot be put on a list. If I put my marriage relationship on a list it might look like this:

1. Give Patrick a kiss upon waking up.
2. Make Patrick breakfast before he goes off to work.(He wouldn't eat it though)
3. Wash his clothes
4. Make his dinner
5. Smile when he comes in the door.
6. Give him time to unwind before sharing my day.
7. Snuggle with him on the couch watching the sports channel.
8. Kiss him goodnight.

Yes, it could be a lot longer and more detailed and include much more. I DON'T follow a list with my husband. I would become like a Stepford wife, or a robot wife. Relationships cannot be put into lists. The same is for my relationship with God.

In relationship we may share our lists of likes and dislikes, but then it is love that draws us to make life lovely for the one we love by surprising them with their list being fulfilled. God does that for me! He often surprises me with something wonderful that is on my "I like that" list. Butterflies, sunsets brilliant with color, stars and moon light nights, new babies, friends and the love of a godly man. God loves me by giving even more than that which is on my list. He gave His Son! He knows me. He speaks to me. He disciplines me. No list can contain His love. I want to have love that cannot be contained on a list. How about you?

Lord God, Lover of my soul, You are beyond everything I could ever ask or dream! You gave us Your list of don'ts only to show us that we need You in our lives. You give us Yourself, and in that relationship You make the list disappear. I now only have love , not a list to look at. Thank You for loving me beyond the beyond! I give my love to You too!

Greater Love

Service. Sacrifice. Laying down your life for a friend is a greater love. Today we remember those who have given so much, loved so much. Memorial Day 2010 will be filled with fun outings for families and good food and fellowship with friends. It is all made possible by those brave souls who protect us from enemies who would take it away.

Memorial Day is set aside to honor the soldiers killed in battle , but if we are truthful with ourselves we must admit that anyone who has walked in a uniform of the military has made sacrifices. They have given so much for all of us. A soldier may have a job far behind the front lines, but they work as a unit to fulfill the duty of maintaining our freedoms. We honor those who have fallen. It is right to do so. It is also right to thank the soldier who has lost a part of themselves when their buddy has died. Thank you!

Today, I remember family and friends who have served with patriotic hearts. They fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Most came back with only the frightening memories of horrors from which they protect us even now. Lance Corporal Leslie Wayne Williams did not come home. He died in Vietnam, far from the comforting voices and touches of those who loved him. He was only 20 years old. He fought hard to come home, but his injuries finally overcame his bravery. I will always remember him. I will always have a love for him.

Father God, You are Love. You weep over the loss of life. You desire that life is lived in peace. We fail to live as You desire because of our pride and arrogance. We thank You for the courage and love placed in the hearts of those who would protect innocence from evil. We want to live our lives as a living sacrifice, giving all we can in love for others. Pour your love and courage into us!