Loving One Another

Posts tagged ‘Christianity’

Live to Give


Good Friday Morning to you!

Each morning

I start my day up here

in my sanctuary

at the top of

our circlular staircase.

Come and join me today!

 

Here we sit

in the presence of the Holy Spirit,

who fills our hearts.

It’s a peaceful place.

I read, pray, meditate, and listen.

God’s amazing grace fills our souls.

.

“These Days” daily devotional

After reading the scripture

and the reflections on it,

by Michael Morgan of Atlanta, Georgia,

I added a few words boldly to the page.

 

These three words represent

my “take away” for today.

Yes, I want to “Live to Give.”

 

I hope that’s your take-away, too.

 

Thank you, Michael,

for the inspiration and the prayer

at the bottom of the page.

I, too, hope to “Live into [God’s] goodness.”

My heart beats with God’s love as its fuel. .

May you also “Live to Give” today – and always.

 

Have a Fabulous Friday! .

Come and join me again later

 

when I go to volunteer

 

at our Madison Valley Medical Center.

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See ya later.

Category:

books, Faith, Giving, God, life, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, prayer, Serving One Another

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True Friends


True Friends

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Terry & Elaine w/ me

God has blessed my life
With a circle of true friends.
Some are close enough to hug,
Others are scattered to earth’s ends.
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Regardless of their physical proximity,
My true friends are always with me.
When we reach out to each other,
Their love stretches out to gift me.
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Some soul sisters I have known briefly,
Others are friends a decade or more,
And a few treasured true friends
I’ve known since I was young and poor.

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My sis, Sally & me
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Marcie, Judy, Bob, Jerry, Carolyn & Monica

Some are older, wise, and vibrant,

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Elaine Forsberg

Some are family living far away,

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DeDe & me

Some are neighbors, always near and supportive,

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Our neighbors, the Ducsays & Laquas w/Tammy & Henry

Some are my buddies who join me in play.

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Me with Caroline & Penny
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The Curreys

Some are families who make life special –

Some are in-laws who keep in touch –

Margie & Bill
Bonnie & Stan
Ann & Bruce
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Ed & Maria

Some are couples who invite us over – 

  • Gerry & Alex w/ Bob & Ott

All are a part of me… and I love them so much!

Kuan Tao-Sheng as quoted in Theodor Reik’s book, Of Love and Lust:
“Take a lump of clay,
Wet it, pat it,
Make a statue of you
and a statue of me.
Then shatter them, clatter them,
Add some water,
And break them and mold them
Into a statue of you and me.
Then in mine, there are bits of you,
And in you there are bits of me.
Nothing shall ever keep us apart.”

God has blest my soul
With true friends who make me whole.
I carry bits of them where e’re I go.
They round me out so I can roll.

Bob Jan TazE ATV
TazE, Bob & me
Laina w/ Bob & me

I roll with the punches life flings,
I weather the storms life brings;
I reach out to friends, and they to me.
So no matter the trouble, my heart sings.

animal avian beak bird
Life is better with a friend and a song!

Thank You, God,  for life’s true friends.
Thank You for God’s Holy Spirit, too.
He is the friend who’s with me always.
I pray that He’s a True Friend to you.

make-friendships

God bless you, my dear blogging friend!
Thank you for being a friend who visits and comments.
Your participation in my blog means
the world to me!

box cheerful color cute
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

blessings, friendship, God, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, pets, Poetry, Sharing

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Finding Strength


Finding Strength

  This morning I received an e-mail from a dear cousin. Her husband has esophageal cancer. The chemo and radiation treatments are making him feel tired, gaunt, and bored with the required liquid diet. Swallowing is painful. He’s lost 30 pounds. .  

In the midst of life’s struggles, we need strength, courage, and assurance. Where do we find it?

Joshua 1:5-9 “No one will be able stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you. Be strong and courageous… Be strong and very courageous… Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In my morning devotional today

from In Touch Ministries,

this very scripture and topic were discussed.

 
 

Yes, obstacles are faith’s fertilizer!

As the devotional said,

“Obstacles are one way our faith can grow.”

    What obstacles are you facing today? They may not be as serious as cancer of the esophagus, but every challenge we face is an opportunity to lean on our faith and allow the obstacle to grow us. Use them as stepping stones. Know that God is with you. Be assured by that cross that hangs in my sanctuary and reminds me daily to remember what our Creator tells me: “Be Still and know that I AM God.” .  

My cousin’s husband is Jehovah’s Witness. I have sent him a couple of inspirational cards wishing him well and reminding him that I have him in my daily prayers.

 

My cousin told me in her e-mail today, “While he may not agree with all your theology… he most certainly believes in God and appreciates your prayers.”

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I am reminded that God is soooo much bigger than religion. God is the Creator of us all. God loves and cares for us all. We may not practice our religious beliefs the same way, but our faith in God binds us together as one.

    As Christians, we say we are “One in Christ.” We believe in the Trinity – that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are One. Who am I to say that those who say we are “One in God, our Creator” are wrong? God is Omnipotent. He sees into the heart of us all. When He promises, “I am with you,” he’s talking to you … each of you! .  

What obtacles are fertilizing YOUR faith today? Be still and know God is with you.

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Now, go in peace.

Believe

Let your obstacles become stepping stones.

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, God, health, Heartache, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, peace, prayer, Promises

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Look Beyond!


Look Beyond!

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Here are my sermon notes from the message
delivered by Pastor Steve Hundley
today at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church

He titled it “The Bible Says”
and he had lots of stories about
how people use Bible verses
to prove their varying/opposing opinions

 

Sometimes people of God
Seem bent to disagree;
They argue and they point fingers.
Seems rather strange to me.

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Infighting creates doubts.
Why does it have to be?
Why do we let issues divide us?
Why can’t love define you and me?

Why is there dissension
Among the people of Christ
Why can’t we pray and obey
And treat each other nice?

There always has been fighting
Because issues raise their head
And divisions seems to reign.
Why can’t we just love instead?

We often disagree with others
Because we’re really at odd (that’s poetic license)
With ourselves – our own beliefs.
Why can’t we focus on our constant God?

God’s spirit is poured out
On the hearts of ALL folks.
Why do we create divisions
And make fun of others with jokes?

Why refuse to make the round trip
From our mind to our heart?
Our heart knows the love of God.
When will our minds know? Let’s start!

Let’s celebrate diversity –
And stop trying to point blame.
Let’s look beyond our differences;
Let’s praise and worship in God’s name.

Amen?

 

Just Love One Another
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See ya tomorrow

Category:

Bible Lessons, God, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, respect

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Looking Back for Inspiration


Inspiration from
Daily June “Take-Aways”

Life's a Book

When daily I read
Daily Guideposts 2019, – A Spirit-Lifting Devotional –
I write 2 to 9 words on the page
to remember the message
that I want to “take-away” with me.

Here are the daily Take-Aways from June:

  1. Think creatively!
  2. Trust first; Faith follows.
  3. Work at Loving.
  4. See and feel God (at work in my life)
  5. Relax into what comes.
  6. Accept and Appreciate God’s Grace
  7. Some things are worse than death.
  8. Share Openly My Faith
  9. Find God is the Seeing, not the Being
  10. Create in Me a Legacy of Love
  11. Respond with Compassion
  12. Project Positivity to All!
  13. Let You Inner Self Sparkle!
  14. Let God Keep You Tuned
  15. Forgive as You’re Forgiven
  16. Pray Daily for Confidence in God’s Wisdom and Guidance
  17. Trust in God’s Hope
  18. Find and Follow God’s Paths
  19. Be a Reflection of Jesus’ Love
  20. Accept Barriers
  21. Be in the Moment
  22. See Beauty Everywhere
  23. Live in and Love the Trinity
  24. Praise Him – It Feels Good!!
  25. Speak Love; Exhibit Kindness
  26. Erase Past Regrets
  27. Bee Generous ;o)
  28. Go With the Flow
  29. Focus on Blessings
  30. Live with Purpose!

Which one speaks loudly to your heart
and gives you the inspiration to go out
and JUST DO IT?

Thanks for dropping by.
I’d love to see your choice below.

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See ya tomorrow

Category:

Bible Lessons, Living in Christ's Family, Love

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Taste the Source


Taste the Source

“Jesus is not our sauce,

He’s the source,”

Pastor TC Mooney reminds us.

I knew that, of course.

.

Mooney says we often push God

To the back of our fridge shelf.

We only take Him out to sprinkle

Some on our lives – to flavor ourself.

Sometimes we forget He’s there.

We leave Him in the back too long.

But, unlike sauce, the Source

Never expires; His flavor’s never gone.

.

I can taste the love of Jesus

Without worrying about the date

He might get stale. He’s always fresh.

My reach is never too late.

 

Jesus is not my sauce.

He’s The Source.

I Drink from His

Everlasting Fountain of Love

Every Day!

Do you?

Thank God

Happy Father’s Day weekend.
You’re part of the Goodness.
You know that, right?
.

Spread the love!

heart of love

See ya tomorrow

Category:

blessings, Faith, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Love, Poetry

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Your Heart NEEDS This:


Your Heart NEEDS This:

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hmmm…

What keeps your heart beating?

What makes it beat faster?

What calms it down?

What does your heart NEED?

person using stethoscope on bear plush toy

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Have you checked your pulse lately?

What’s it telling you?

At the root of my “heart need”
is the longing to be loved,
to be valued,
to be needed.

Victoria+X on 4 wheeler @Xander's2nd

Like my little grandson NEEDED a friend
to help him learn to get his new four-wheeler moving,
my heart needs to be needed.
Does yours?

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In today’s Guideposts devotional, the message said,
“Emotional needs can be every bit as acute as physical ones…
the Lord hardwired into human beings the desire for
love, acceptance, and a sense of safety.
These necessities are what cause us
to seek out friendships, marriage,
and , ultimately,
a relationship with God.”

What’s Your “Heart Need”?

Is it something that can be satisfied with the things of this world?
A friend, a spouse, a large bank account, a satisfying job?
Those “needs” are real… but they are not the “heart food that lasts.”

Heart Food That Lasts

Love and acceptance, a feeling of being valued, cannot last if it only comes from worldly things. A solid sense of self-worth is critical to heart health. We cannot fully receive love and acceptance without a sense of self-worth.

If you are uncertain about your own innate, precious value, you will project onto family and friends the “God-sized task” of proving you are valued. And, the problem with that (as stated clearly in the Guideposts devotional today) is, “No human being can be an inexhaustible emotional resource.”

Heart food that lasts comes from God’s unconditional love. So, accept it. Dine on it daily. Let it fill your plate – and satisfy your heart. Do not be anxious about anything!

Proverbs 12:25 says,
“An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.”

Have an Open Heart

God wants to be your unlimited source of sustainable heart food! Let your self-worth be based on His love in you. You are a Child of God, beloved, holy, worthy. Open wide the heart doors and let that knowledge seep into your soul.

What keeps your heart beating?

What makes it beat faster?

What calms it down?

What does your heart NEED?

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Dine at God’s Table of Love today.
YOUR HEART NEEDS LOVE!!

Have a Blessed day, my friends.

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SEE YA TOMORROW

 

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Love

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