When we want to know and love someone, and in return gain their affection, too; we typically clean ourselves up and “put on our best performance” so as to win their approval. It can be exhausting. Ironically the exact opposite holds true in regards to a relationship with Jesus. He knows and loves us just as we are-sinners. We do not have to earn His affection; we only have to accept His approval. The way we begin to know and love Him more is also counterintuitive to the world’s usual relationship paradigm. The more we see the poverty of our hearts, the more we understand that it is not just our actions, but also our thoughts and motives that are sinful, the more we know the depth of God’s great sacrifice for us. It is only in the honest examination of ourselves that a true love of our Savior is born. It is also there where grace covers our grief and freedom is born. May we all find freedom in our authenticity, not our acts. You are loved.
Tag: love
Mining for Gold Not Gossip
I cannot imagine a more pathetic job than digging up dirt to smear people. I cannot imagine a more pleasurable job than discovering the good to spread about people. Lord may I always look for the admirable and not the amiss, because not one of us is all good nor all bad. Romans 14:19~ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
The Face of Danger is Not Always Evil
Children should not go to public bathrooms alone, nor should teen girls. I always tell my daughter to take a friend if I am not with her. I do not tell her this because I am concerned about any particular population of people other than PREDATORS. Predators do not fit the image we want to mold them into to make ourselves feel comfortable. They are rarely a face that signals danger, and they are prone to hang out in places we deem to be the safest.
It is hard for us to face the reality of evil being packaged so nice and neatly in places we trust. We are much more comfortable making “different” people the enemy because it makes us feel better.
We have to wake up and know this disillusion is one way we make ourselves and our children vulnerable to the depravity of our fallen world.
Also, I know I am stepping on some toes, but Jesus did not hang out with the self-righteous, the do-gooders, the know it alls. Luke 5:32 ~”I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” He went straight for hearts broken by sin, (that would include all of us), not built by superiority.
I do not believe if He walked this world today that He would shun away any population of people. It is easy to forget that; we are ALL people. Jesus did not come to shame people with law, but to shower them with love. The best way to make an impact on someone is how well you love them as they are and not how you think they should be. Yes, we must speak the truth; but we must say it swaddled in love or not speak at all; otherwise all is lost.
“Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it.” ~Tim Keller
A Place of Belonging
There is no greater place than a place of belonging. May we have eyes to see those around us that have no circle of acceptance; and the discernment to identify the times when we are searching for refuge in things that were never meant to be our safe sanctuary. Jesus give us the grace to know where our true fountain of comfort and peace flows, our belonging place. May we strip off the weight of busyness so we may notice who needs to be seen and refuel in our places of shelter. Amen.
Prayer for Paris
God, please turn the chaos into calm in the city of Paris tonight. Be near to hearts that have been crushed and confused by the chaotic commotion that is taking place. People are scared Father. Fear permeates borders and rattles hearts and minds all over our world. Despite it all, 365 times Your word commands us to fear not. That seems impossible on days of destruction such as this. New wounds have been created while old, seeping wounds perforated. Turn us from the presence of panic to a posture of prayer, God. Remind shattered hearts tonight that when we have an assurance of our eternal destination it is possible to find respite in our existent situation. I know you are gently caressing every fallen tear. Nestle the hurting in Your healing hands tonight. I pray we, your children, do not let toxic terrorists prevent us from persisting. Help us to hold on to the truth that it is far better to die living in faith than to live dying from fear. May the lacerated feel Your lavish love tonight. Soothe our splintered hearts as we process the abundance of agony that is taking place. May we, the worn watchers, lay our heads down tonight with our palms in prayer for the persecuted, security in our souls of our salvation and praise for our people sleeping safely under shelter. Amen.
A Well Dressed Woman
A well-dressed woman is clothed in kindness, gentleness and a smile. Her best accessories are words of encouragement, warm hugs and helping hands. Let us not forget the finest things in life are free and one size fits all!
Encouragement
At the heart of encouragement is the ability to communicate one’s value, potential and worth. It is the shining of a light into the darkest recesses of a person’s soul where inadequacy and insecurity grow. Encouragement is about affirming all that is worthy in a person, so that from those places they can function from a point of success that is guided by their true north during the fruitful, as well as the frail times.
There is a little talked about person in the Gospel named Barnabas. His name means, son of encouragement. He was very instrumental in the making of the life and ministry of Paul. Although Paul is VERY important, and one of my top three favorites of the Bible, it is the Barnabas types of the world who collectively are overlooked and substantially undervalued.
Behind every great Paul, there is a Barnabas that encourages, supports and fosters affirmation within them. This is what being the body of Christ looks like. We are not all famous, wealthy, sought after…but we each possess an ability within us to be someone’s Barnabas, and that is far more valuable than wealth, fame or any other perceived luxury this world has to offer.
You may not feel as you are a natural encourager, but it is an ability that can be perfected through practice. It is a gift that gives in return, and the dividends are priceless. I encourage you to read about Barnabas. He is very understated, but his gift is not overrated.
The gift of encouragement, it can redefine the course of a defeated day. It can elevate someone from tribulation to triumph. It is one of the most valuable gifts you can give away for free. Encouragement is a one size fits all offering, and it is always exchangeable. May we all give it away freely and abundantly. In a world where what comes around goes around, let it be encouragement! Thank you to all my friends who encourage me. You are far more valuable than anything I could ever own.
Wear Love
Our jobs often become so routine that we become removed. Our schedules are often so unattended that we become unavailable. I am certain I have been guilty of this. I am also certain I have been injured by this. If we are blessed enough to be in positions to influence people’s lives, engage their pain and suffering, and make an impact for the better; may we never become complacent. What may seem common to us, is often very painful to those enduring it. May we never lose sight of empathy and consider every person just as valuable as the next. Logic says invest time and energy in those who are the most qualified. Love says invest in ALL; no qualifications!
Which One Will You Choose
The world says be successful. God says be still.
The world subsidizes an exhausting race. God supplies eternal rest.
The world says climb up the ladder. God says climb under my yoke.
The evil in our world produces panic. God promises peace.
The world shames us with standards. God shelters us with sufficiency.
Through the world, we seek approval. Through God, we are shielded by acceptance.
The world whines we are entitled. God whispers He is enough.
In this world, we will experience pain. It is only through God that our pain will encounter purpose.
In this life, there will always be laughter, and there will always be tears. We will struggle through hours of hardship and savor times of triumph. In the end, all that matters is, did we choose the lies of the world or the love of God.
May we never forget, God created the world. We must never let the world create God.
It is Character Not Color
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”~Martin Luther King Jr.
I am a color, but my color does not define me.
I am born of a race, but I become who I choose to be.
God created me equal to all man so, please respectfully acknowledge me.
I have a heart that beats just like yours. It sins and loves no matter what my ethnicity.
History holds a wealth of bondage from scars inflicted by ancestors, you and me.
The future does not have to reflect our wounds. The choice is for God’s people, no matter color, race, religion or gender to spread and live in harmony.
There are good and bad of every kind; exclusive to no one-not yours or mine.
My birth branded me with many labels, but please do not use them to judge me. I only wish to be known as a person who desires to reflect God’s character and equality.
Kindness knows no boundaries in available hearts. It is immune to the prejudice of color, race or gender. It respects all; the receiver and the lender.
We are all one. May our eyes be blind to any differences, and our hearts be open to every kind. For it is in seeing, knowing and loving, many treasures we find.~D’Anna
May we all be the light that extinguishes the darkness, friends! Thank you Martin Luther King Jr. for you valuable contribution to this world. It was not the quantity of your life, but the quality that made all the difference!