Practicing LOVE

³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

                                                                                                                                            Luke 6:32-36

So, we had a....sometimes re-occuring talk today in our home, and once again I realized how I can not and could never parent without all of who God is.  I can't imagine being a mom, a wife, a....human!  and not have the strength, love, power, wisdom, grace, mercy, joy, etc. etc. etc.  of GOD!

Part of my learning for today was how real adoption is, and some of the real situations that come along with it, even after 4 + years...and I'm sure will continue in various ways.  The Bible talks about adoption in Romans, Galatians and Ephesians in terms of us being adopted to sonship through Jesus Christ.  What a beautiful picture that creates, and even more so, what a great example that we can look to.

The greatest example is of Christ's love.  When I stepped back from the conversation today and just took a few minutes to pray, I was overwhelmed with the wisdom to love, to practice love.  This became the challenge to follow the great talk we were having.  Let's love each other deliberately 5 times each day (of course more is wonderful) but to focus on loving, doesn't leave a lot of room for false words, thoughts, or negative actions.

When Jesus says to love our enemies, and love our neighbours as ourselves, it's next to impossible to do that with fear, or hate, or anger, or frustration in your heart.  Love takes up all the space there is.  So, practicing love, even in just the second half of the day today, makes a BIG change on attitudes, actions, facial expressions :) words, and ...well...everything!  Practice love - Jesus's way.

Who are you reflecting?

" And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." 
                                                        1 Corinthians 11:1

It's so easy for me to imitate an accent I hear if it different than the way I speak.  Usually I do this without thinking about it, or purposefully doing it.  There are definitely funny memories with a couple of different friends in different places where this has happened...in the States or Quebec....!  Anyway, I sometimes can take on an imitation of those I'm around. 

I know I have seen/heard/ probably experienced this in terms of actions and attitudes as well, whether the person being imitated is "real" or a "celebrity" of sorts.  It seems to be a teen/tween thing to do, find someone you like, or most other people you hang out with like, and try to be like them, know everything about them and imitate them.  And sometimes....usually sadly...they do very well at this.

I recently watched the movie Soul Surfer.  And there is a girl whose life it would be great for my daughter to imitate, because that girl imitated Christ. 

Am I, as a parent, as a friend, as a teacher, as a leader, as a wife...imitating Christ.  Is His the reflection that is seen through me....there is a song that I love by Philips. Craig& Dean- I Want to Be Just Like You.

The chorus says this,

Lord, I want to be just like You

Cause he wants to be just like me

I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see

Help me be a Living Bible, Lord

That my little boy can read

I want to be just like You

Cause he wants to be like me

 It's a big job, but it also is a choice.  To reflect Christ, or to live for my self. 

Think about these things

" ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "  Philippians 4:8-9

So, I'm reading this book, it's book two of a three part series, at least I HOPE there are no more than three!  After book one I wanted to get into book two, and it's difficult to find parts that I feel ok with stopping at.  I was reading for a bit at families house and I got to a part that made me so mad I had to put the book down!  I was just so upset with what had happened in the book!  After at least half an hour I couldn't seem to shake what had a happened so I thought I better read some more to see if it resolved a bit so I could calm down.  It did...a bit....but not very much.  However, my thoughts and attitudes seemed to stick to the -a little on the not so great side-thinking about this silly book!  I ended up trying to get through the rest of the night with an alright attitude until everyone else, including Tim, was asleep so I could read, and finished book two without a whole lot of resolve!  Book three now sits in one of my bags waiting to be read, however my list of things to do that are more important is likely going to last me longer than the time I have to do them, so book three awaits.

When I finished reading last night I couldn't help but pray and seek God's help with my brain.  How is it that I got so caught up in something someone had written.  Tim always tells me that means he/she is a good author, I, at the time am usually too emotional, whether upset, like this book, or crying, or laughing, or whatever the case may be.  I've heard of people who are like this with TV shows as well, getting so caught up in what's happening in (insert fictional character's names here)'s lives that it's difficult to really live in real life. 

I'm not certain this is something Paul is talking about in Philippians, but it's the verse that came to mind as I sought peace and cleansing in my attitude and mind.  So, perhaps I won't read today, or even in the next few days, and that will likely be a good thing.  But what I know I need to do, regardless, is think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy!

 ^" How great is the goodness
      you have stored up for those who fear you.
   You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
      blessing them before the watching world."  Psalm 31:19

This picture basically describes how I've been feeling the past few days, and all that rain pouring down is showers of Christ's blessings.  I am so overwhelmed with who God is and what He is doing.  I know that there have been days, and there will be days that I will need to be reminded of this time in my life, when it feels like God is showering us completely, because in the midst of storms and trials, those showers don't feel like blessings.  But today, in this time, God is loving on us, on my family.  He is showing Himself to be real, to be alive and active, just like His Word. 

 

I'm amazed how God is everywhere.   We can't go anywhere, see anything, without God being in it.  Even things that have never made me think of God before, and screaming His love, His truth, His faithfulness, His goodness!  It's undeniable, unmistakable...simply amazing.

 

Part of me wants to stay here forever, enjoy this gift of showers of blessings, but part of me knows that this is just a step to what God has, so we've got to continue, enjoying His blessings along the way, and PRAISING Him, giving HIM the glory!

Fingerprints of God

^" He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."  Ecclesiastes 3:11

So, looking at things around me, it's cool to see God's "fingerprints" in every part of life. 

With the kids today we were talking about how people can see who God is by creation, by things around us that are clearly made by Him, clearly created by a Masterful Creator. 

I've been thinking so much about God's plans, and sometimes, or usually, I can't understand why things happen or don't happen but that is because I can't see them from beginning to end.  I sometimes wonder why we haven't been able to have more children yet...but then God shows me glimpses, His fingerprints, little reasons that He is God and I am not :)  Reasons that show how much He loves me, and His plans and purposes are for good, for His glory.

Even last night at the course, Tim and I could both see how God was so much a part of our being there, and the atmosphere of the whole thing. 

If I wasn't reminded by God's creation in nature, or in His Word, I am certainly reminded moment by moment by my kids and who God is molding them to be.  I can't get over how they are maturing and growing each day in so many different ways.  God is so good!  Today I praise Him for showing us His  fingerprints.

The turning pages of life

^" Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness. "  Lamentations 3:22-23

Our devotion this morning was really a wonderful fit to our life, whether the kids knew it or not (I'm going to go with not) but God sure does!  I just keep thinking today how quickly days are going by, how one day will be so cold and snow covered ground, then another so warm and fresh with a sweet breeze.  It's incredible how new each day is, like God's mercies, His compassion, His faithfulness.

Tonight we're taking a big step in a new direction that could change our life, but it was wonderful to wake up and be reminded and refreshed that God is with us, and every morning His love is refreshed within and for us.  Even watching, listening to, and interacting with my kids, I see such a growth and depth in them, that didn't even seem to be there yesterday, always changing...always new.   

Tomorrow I'll be starting a spring session for music and movement classes, and even that, I'll be meeting new people, new faces, moms and their kids.  What a great part of life, to see freshness, to see new life!  To see the grass come up brilliant green, the sun to shine - somehow more bright than ever before, to see smiles on my kids faces even wider than yesterday!  The sweetest joy, to hear of the love of God, and someone come to realise and accept that for the first time!

  May I never loose that freshness, may it never seem dull, boring, or old. Praise God that He never changes, but yet His mercies are new and fresh for us each morning!

It`s all that I can do!

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever"

At this point in my weekend, I can think of nothing else but to thank and praise God.  I was feeling all nervous and worried, but God is so GOOD.  We had our children's service at church this morning, and God was praised and glorified, He loved and spoke through the kids today.  It was a such a great time of celebrating freedom in Christ and praising Him for giving us that FREE gift!

It's been so great to take things to God in prayer.  One of the verses on my wall at home is from Phillipians, which is a constant reminder that I need, to not worry about anything, but in everything, with prayer and thanksgiving present your requests to God, and the peace that passes all understanding will transcend your heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Phil. 4:6-7) 

I am confident that it is God and God alone that got me through this weekend, and will get me through this week!  He knows what I can handle, and He will give me strength when I can't handle what comes my way.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights``  Habakukk 3:19

What can I do, but praise Him!

One Thursday down.!

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5

On days like today, when it seems like there is so much to do, yet how will it all happen in the span of one day!....it's difficult to rest in God alone.  Difficult, yet wonderful. 

This morning at breakfast Rachel said that she was going to pray for me today, because of the line-up of things I had to do, with teaching, BG Club, and Youth, she wanted to make sure that I knew that God was in control and I didn't have to worry or stress about things.  In fact, my sweet and thoughtful daughter even asked if there was anything she could do to lighten my load today.  How wonderful of God to instill in her that selflessness...that giving and loving heart.  My precious girl did help, tremendously, in having songs ready for both BG and Youth!

My wonderful mother-in-law was an incredible help as well, she let me have a nap:)  And somehow even had the house quiet with 4 teenage girls as well as my 3 kids here!  I'm sure they were outside most of the time...but still not sure how she did it!  Praise God though!  She even made dinner and did the dishes that were there this morning!

So dispite a busy "schedule" God provided and blessed me so much today!  He has given me such a great family! and friends!  He even gave me a funny way to look at a piece of paper in a lesson, that had me laughing over and over!  I should really just take a picture of what happened....I was writing on a page, with three holes, as normal, with a pencil....when I realized, the pencil looked like a nose!  Imagine with me......

So I drew eyes above the hole, with eyebrows of course...and a mouth below the hole...on the paper and stuck the eraser through the hole!  I was not the only one to laugh hysterically at this picture...perhaps my student was laughing at how crazy I was!  But.....God provides even little things sometimes to allow us to rest in Him, to take time to laugh, to know that He is God, that He is in control, and I don't have to think, or stress, or worry about anything,(Phil. 4:6-7) He's got it covered!

To give....everything....in faith

 "¹ As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple offering boxes. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
 ³ "What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus said. "That poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All of those other people gave a lot because they are rich. But even though she is poor, she put in everything. She had nothing left to live on."  Luke 21:1-4

This was the verse that we had at breakfast this morning.  And the question asked was, what would you do, if you were poor and had nothing to live on...would you be like this woman in Luke, or...selfish...and most of our honest answers were that we probably wouldn't give everything because then "we wouldn't have enough money for things we need"  Isn't it crazy to think of the way that Christ asks us to live!  With complete abandon to Him.  Fully trusting that He will provide ALL we need! (Phil. 4:19) according to His riches in glory!  WOW! 

Imagine what life would be like if we lived by faith, believing that God will supply all our needs.  If we didn't think or worry about what we will eat or drink, or what we will wear (Matthew 6:25-31) but instead look at the birds in the air and see how God does provide for even them, God even clothes the grass of the field with beautiful flowers! 

Perhaps the things that I think of as "needs" aren't entirely needs, but more like "wants."  Hmmm...to live a life in complete surrender to God, all finances, all gifts, talents, all materialistic things, all my time, to give of everything, like the widow, not to give of my "excess"....that's my reminder today.

Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry....

 "¹THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,     ²Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(A)
    3}Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds."  Hebrews 12:1-3

Whew! What a big passage....the part I need to hear today is, well, aside from the whole thing! the patience endurance....this version is the amplified, so it's a lot of words, but that endurance sure does require a lot of patience!

As a parent I find my "patience" tested often...and some days, like today, when I seem to wake up on the "wrong side of the bed" it sure is more difficult to get back into a Christ like attitude with others around that may...test our patience!  Aren't these the times, the mornings...that we NEED to get in the word, find the places where God speaks right to us at where we're at!  Because of course, how can we have a Christ-like attitude if we're not spending time with Christ! 

The other verse that I needed this morning is found in James 1:19 "everyone should be slow to speak, slow to get angry, and quick to listen"....mommy, mommy, he did ......fidget figdet.....sigh....slow to speak, slow to speak....welcome to .00001 nanoseconds of my brain:) ahhh...sure needed to CHOOSE to put the WORD in my brain!

So, today, I'm going to choose to practice a Chrit-like attitude, not a  me-like attitude.  Since it's Christ that I want my kids to look like, I better look like that, because I'm the person they watching constantly...what a big job!  Praise God for His strength! His Grace! His love! to pull me back from my own self and remind me of His truth and where my mind should be.

In the good times and the bad....

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of the things we can not see..." Hebrews 11:1

Living a life of faith is challenging.  When I have my heart so set and so certain, my hope so certain of things I can not see, only to realize that it must not have been God's timing and His will...that sure does something inside. 

When God tells us that His ways are perfect, (Psalm 18:30) that He has plans for us, plans to prosper and not to harm, to give us a hope and a future, (Jeremiah 29:11) we can trust that He is faithful.  "It is because of the Lord's great mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Today is one of those times when I have to force myself to not lean on my own understanding, but in ALL my ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make my path straight! (Proverbs 3:5-6) The only way sometimes to not get into a rut and get down on circumstances is to look up to the Creator of all, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Provider, the Comforter, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End,  and know that HE is LOVE, that His grace is sufficient for me.

The start of a journey...

"It is no longer I that lives, but Christ that lives in me" Galations 2:20

So, the kids and I have been doing "devotions" each morning together.  They take turns, every three days, picking a verse, or passage that we all discuss together.  They come up with a question to gererate discussion and help us think about what it means, or how we can learn from it.  Anyway, this has been an incredible learning experience for me to see where their hearts go and how they see things, also watching them learn through Christ. 

Today's verse was found in Mark 1:16-18 when Jesus went to ask the disciples to come follow Him.  We talked about things that make us feel safe and secure.  For those fishermen, it was their job that Jesus was saying, ok guys, come on and follow me now, I'll make you fishers of men!  First we had the funny talking about how they might have been confused about how to fish men....but then we got on the security thing....we talked about how we feel safe...through jobs, through being surrounded by people, through light...and how sometimes, like these disciples, Jesus asks us to come out of that place of security and comfort and follow Him, trusting that He will provide and He will guide us. 

I really love these daily times we have together to grow and dig and share. 

When I was in highschool I had a friend who would share with me a "verse-a-day"  I don't know what he really thought about it.  But for me, every day I looked forward to hearing what this verse was going to be.  It wasn't my devotion time, my time where I spent in the Word with God, but it was a time to reflect with someone else, about what God's Word says. 

I guess what I'm reminded of today, as I think of the verse I want to be complete truth in my life - "It is no longer I that lives, but Christ that lives in me" Galations 2:20 is how that can never be, if we don't spend that time with Christ, if we don't allow His Word to be living and active through us.  Praise God for FREEDOM to read, to study, to devour, to soak in, to memorize and to live out HIS Word!