In it for the Long Hull aka Long Haul

While Ryan and Shawntel have been away a few days, I’ve stayed here with their boys. I loved big brother, Bear, his girlfriend, Hannah, and oldest brother, Braden, and his wife, Ruth, hanging out with us. My heart has been filled with love. Four boys in this Wuerch family here in Austin – so I must tell you about the joy and fun it was to have some “girl” time, talking girl "talk". It was easy to talk that talk because of the family wedding this weekend.

Ruth, my grandson Braden’s wife, my “granddaughter”, is a triplet. The last of the triplets married her dream man on Friday here in Austin. Of all the places in the world where these two sisters would end up is here in Austin. The wedding had been planned for a later date, but they couldn’t wait any longer. They married in a sweet and intimate outdoor setting (the groom’s parent’s home) here in Austin. Pictured here is Rebeca, her new husband, Ben, and that’s my Ruth, the Matron of Honor, behind her. Photo with Braden, Ruth, Rebeca & Ben includes the third triplet, Ruben, who is a Navy Officer, with his wife. Covid kept them from traveling.

We three girls oohed and aahed at the tender and precious moments as Ruth played the wedding video for us. Both bride and groom had written their own vows, so beautifully said through tears and laughter. My heart was touched seeing this strong man, cry his way through almost the whole wedding. He was marrying the love of his life. The three of us teared up when Rebeca, while saying her vows said “I must stop a moment so I can make a vow to someone else”. Rebeca walked over to Ben’s younger sister and vowed to love her, protect her, and care for her all the days of her life. That’s when the tears flowed from everyone at the wedding and we three girls who were enamored by the beauty of that special moment.

I always love hearing the words from I Corinthians 13 that most often are heard at weddings. The minister started with these words: “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing. But rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” As soon as the minister started speaking those words, it started to rain and, so the next words were: “I’ve been told on many occasions that rain is a sign that the marriage will be long and enduring. I think we’re looking at a couple who are going to celebrate 75 or 80 years of marriage.” That is when a pause came to reconvene under the patio. Moments they’ll never forget for those 75 or 80 years to come.

Now, with great expectations, Ben and Rebeca have begun their lives together. I’m so faith-filled that I believe their vows before God of loving, caring, sharing, and helping-each-other-reach-their-full-potential marriage will be blessed by God. A beautiful rite-of-passage that once were two hearts, are now one. As I type this blog, I pray those words for my readers today – to remember 1 Corinthians 13, with those love words, and to do a self-analysis. “Is our love still defined by the words of St. Paul? If not – then why not begin again to remember and put those words first place for the long haul? Ben’s last name is Hull – so that was the theme of the wedding “In it for the long Hull”. I pray the long Hull and long HAUL for them and you, too!

Our Mission Field is Wherever We Are

All my life, literally, all my life, I have been encouraged to love God and share His good news. It started, early on, when I saw the flannel board images of Bible characters while my teacher shared the Gospel story. I was also taught little songs that emphasized the love God has for me. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I was raised in an evangelical home and church. Evangelical, in the sense, that my family was zealous in their faith and love for God and His children. Early on I became a devoted follower of Jesus.

But, I assure you, I wasn’t that girl that was very outspoken about my faith like others who went door-to-door giving out Gospel tracts or standing on a street corner shouting “You must be born again!” I was even quiet when it came to letting others know I was a Christian, in part, because I was shy and I lacked self-confidence. Yes, I took friends with me to church and I did my best to be an example to them of what a good Christian looks and acts like. But, I was not outspoken about it.

Later on, I became a Bible teacher, but even in that sense, my teaching was confined to “within-the-four-walls-of-the-church”. A safe place. People expected that “talk and walk” there.

Before the internet, many of us who were Jesus followers were pretty reclusive. Our faith was within our homes. Jesus “talk” was easy there. Prayers were welcomed there. We’d pray for a good grade on an upcoming test or for healing from an illness. You know the usual requests and petitions. It was faith that was between us four and no more – so to speak.
Who would have thought, way back then, that we would one day have the internet and social media that would open the doors for us to live out our faith online before countless numbers of people? We became evangelists and we were unleashed to spread the good news from behind a computer or a cell phone. I see you. You know who you are. You are the ones who post a scripture photo or you share a quote by Mother Teresa or Billy Graham. You are the ones who share an answer to prayer and also are the ones who ask for prayer.

So when Jesus said in John 14:12, “And greater works than these (the works that He performed) will you do….”, He was foretelling about what we could accomplish in our times. It is time for us to raise our voices even louder. We never know whose life we might impact because of something we posted or said on social media. There is so much power in our words. When we change our words from complaining, blaming or criticizing to faith-filled, loving and caring words, we change our world. Change your words. Change your world.

There will always be a reason to keep us from genuinely loving. But we can decide to be different. We can respond in love when someone hurts us or when it’s difficult to love them. This is what can make those who follow Christ look different from the rest of the world. Love that knows no bounds. Love wrapped in grace. Love that can get over our own insecurities, doubts, and fears. Love that doesn’t have conditions or rights. Love that doesn’t demand its own way. It’s the 1 Corinthians 13 way. May we not walk, talk or scroll right past the opportunities that God has placed in our paths to let His love flow through us. Let’s be billboards that make God famous. We are missionaries because we are on a mission. We have been sent. We were sent the second the first spark of life flickered in our mother’s womb to this earth and now to wherever we are today and to whoever crosses our paths – via the street or the internet!

Love is an Action Word

My son is a speed reader. He has to be – as the CEO of a large technology company, he has to read and review tons of documents and correspondence on a daily basis and if he wasn’t a speed reader, he’d be bogged down with more paperwork than he could handle. I’ve become a speed reader, too! And there lies the reason why I have to scold myself. I see how easily I can turn my goal of reading my Bible through in one year into cold repetition and an act of regimen instead of reading it like a love letter and intentionally looking for the meaning of God’s love words to me. My Bible is my “go to” place for finding direction on which way to go or what to do. I have so many “go-to” passages and I know so many stories I will often read them and gloss over the words or think there’s nothing new to learn or that I already know it all as it relates to that verse or this chapter.

And it may be the same for you. Yes, we hear God’s words spoken to us when we attend church or a Bible Study, but even those times we may find ourselves speed-reading through familiar words or skipping a section altogether because we “know” it so well. Oh, our enemy is a sly fox and he loves it when we “speed-read” through God’s love messages to us.

I am stirred up about how important it is for NOT speed-reading through the greatest love explanation that was ever penned. That is 1 Corinthians 13. If you’ve ever attended a wedding, I’m sure you heard somewhere in the ceremony those words spoken. If only we practiced what we heard and learned. Would you join me in reading these words as if you’re seeing them for the very first time? Please try!

<3 "Love is patient and kind; does not envy or boast;
isn’t arrogant or rude; doesn’t insist on its own way;
isn’t irritable or resentful; doesn’t rejoice at wrongdoing;
rejoices with the truth; bears all things; believes all things;
hopes all things; endures all things. Love never fails."
{1 Corinthians 13:4-7} <3

Throughout the entire chapter, love is an action word, not emotion. Love is something we do, not feel. It’s a game changer. At all times — and regardless of circumstances — we’re called to love others. And not just others, we’re called to love our enemies {Matthew 5:43-48}! (Gasp!)

How can we love our teenage children when they defy and disobey us? When a friend betrays our confidence? When a co-worker undermines our decisions? When our spouse leaves our marriage and our family in shambles? How can we love then?
The only way we can love in those times is to follow THE WAY and how He loved. We don’t know if Jesus FELT love for the people who failed Him and treated Him horrifically, but we do have a glimpse into HOW He demonstrated His love — "but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” {Romans 5:8}

Maybe someone is really making it difficult for you to love them and it is hard for you to read 1 Corinthians 13 and think “Easy-peasy!” Can I ask you to try something? Please re-read 1 Corinthians 13 and practice the ways you CAN show love to the hurtful people in your life? When you don’t feel love, you can be patient and kind. You can be humble and enduring. I know it isn’t easy, but it is simple.

Who have you been withholding love from because you don’t feel love toward that person? (I can think of a few in my own life.) Thanks be to our Lord who loves us enough, not just to command us to love others but to make a way for us to love people, and in doing so, we love as He loves us.

Loving the Unlovely - Test or Torture?

This Peanuts cartoon shows Lucy speaking to Linus, "I am human and I need to be loved just like everybody else does." God bless Lucy. She reminds me of some folks, even my own self, at times. If you'll remember dear Lucy's personality -- she was characterized as loud-mouthed, aggressive, temperamental, and sometimes dumb. She often mocked Snoopy and his owner, Charlie Brown, and even her younger brother Linus. She was quite antagonistic, often playing the villain role in a number of stories. She was also characterized as vain, as she believes she is beautiful and thinks she is perfect (though she once admitted complaining is the only thing she can do well). But, in response to Lucy in this photo, I reply with, "Yes, Lucy, you're right. We all need to love and be loved."

The Apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 13, ”"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love, I am a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal." I've been mulling over this post as I've subtlely posted about loving the unlovely -- not that it's an easy thing to do, but because it's the right thing to do. I can't speak to those who just don't care or those who are bent on being name callers and making really snide and ugly remarks about others, but I am referring to my brothers and sisters in Christ who have found it a popular thing to do -- to speak some very unkind words. It's one thing to disagree, but it's a whole other thing, to justify cold-heartedness. It's a shame that our love can be reduced to sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. This post today isn't to those on the other side of love -- it's for those of us on God's side -- those of us who are supposed to take the higher road, the road less traveled, Have we heard 1 Corinthians 13 so often that we no longer think about what those words mean?

I get it. We are disappointed in the political shenanigans that are going on. It's easy to get caught up in the sheer craziness of it all. One side points to the other about violence, outrage, bomb threats, mass killings, misconduct of each other, etc. But as off-the-wall crazy as it all is.....we must remind ourselves as many times as necessary to go back to WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). He's our "rule of measure". He was despised and rejected and even though He was a perfect and innocent man, was tortured and killed. He only loved. He taught us how to love. He loved even the unloveliest and even died to save them. He forgave "Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Maybe it's time that, rather than focusing on the weaknesses of each other, to give ourselves the LOVE TEST and see if we'll pass with flying colors. Let's ask God to help us be LOVERS with these "love" qualities: After reading these words, let's read them again and replace the word "love" with our name. "Love is patient -- Donna is patient. Love is kind -- Donna is kind. Dear God, where I fall short, renew my heart and soul to be a LOVER like YOU!
1) Love is patient.
2) Love is kind.
3) Love is not jealous.
4) Love does not brag.
5) Love is not arrogant.
6) Love does not act unbecomingly.
7) Love does not seek its own.
8) Love is not provoked.
9) Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.
10) Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness.
11) Love rejoices with the truth.
12) Love bears all things.
13) Love believes all things.
14) Love hopes all things.
15) Love endures all things.
God doesn't ask us to do anything without His grace to do it. Let's be LOVERS, not haters!
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Love Means Saying "I'm Sorry"!

My word for today is: APOLOGIZE – to express regret for something one has done wrong; saying “sorry”, asking for forgiveness; asking for pardon

Today is the last day of February, the month I deemed early on as the LOVE month. What a better way to end it than with an appeal for us to live in self-awareness of our words and actions. The saying goes "Time heals all wounds”, but not all. Sometimes a stronger salve than time is needed to restore wholeness and full health to those we may have hurt, intentionally, and even those things that weren’t meant to hurt. Maybe it was just a curt remark or some smack talk that seemed playful at the time, but those little remarks can sting and be hurtful. At the time it seemed so innocent in our eyes, but by the look in their eyes, we know we hurt them. The question is “Do we let it go as playful fun, or are we quick to APOLOGIZE?”

One of my favorite all-time movies was "Love Story" (1970) with Ryan O'Neal (Oliver) and Ali McGraw (Jenny). Oliver blamed himself for keeping Jenny from her music career and when he was apologizing, Jenny's love for him was far greater to her. That's when she said that famous line. “Love means never having to say you're sorry". At that moment in the movie, I was moved to tears, but, in reality, “Jenny” got it all wrong.

Love doesn't mean “never having to say “I’m Sorry”, and it’s sure not a line that God EVER uses. APOLOGIZING and expressing regret for the mistakes we make is the language of love. God's love. In fact, Jesus APOLOGIZED for mankind when He cried out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

On this last day of this month of love, I'm driving home the importance of being a lover. The Apostle Paul told us how: "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). And, when we miss that mark, LOVE means ALWAYS saying "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

In our world of social and political hostilities with all of the rash comments, quick retorts back and forth to each other, this is the time when we, who live above that fray, should be setting the example of mending torn and broken hearts. When we say to our brothers and our sisters, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me," there is hope for healing, restoration, and reconciliation. May we let go of our need to always be right, cast aside our pride and say in words and actions, "I APOLOGIZE! Please forgive me." And, by the way, from our heart when we say "I'm so sorry, Father God, for the mistakes I've made and change my habits so I use my tongue to speak hope and favor upon others", we'll see the greatest example of love ever given when He opens His arms of love to us and says "I forgive you....now go and sin no more."

The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

This photo is from my recent trip to Israel – right at the foot of the Mount of Temptation. Having my photo taken on a camel was a “must” but little did I realize that the little boy (about 10 years old) that was leading the camel would say “let’s go” and that camel started to gallop. And he was holding the reins -- not me! I must say, “My life flashed before my eyes!” LOL! I yelled "Slow down!" and the boy quickly brought him to a slow trot! That memory will stay with me forever. The other photo is my bestie, Sheila, and I standing firmly on solid ground again!

I thought about that camel and the idiom, "the straw that broke the camel's back". Have you ever had one of those days when, in spite of all your good deeds, good thoughts, and good intentions, when -- out of nowhere -- you experience the final "straw that broke the camel's back"? That phrase describes an irritation that causes a large reaction, because of so many small actions that led up to it.. To put it plainly, it's like Popeye's famous words: "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!"

Case in point. Coming to grips with living in a city that has tons of traffic in it, you have to be a defensive driver because of the drivers who think they are in the Indy 500. I experienced that yesterday, as I left Dallas in the early morning and later, drove into Austin. When I started to change lanes, a car that was a good distance back, pressed his accelerator to keep me from getting in front of him. He blared his horn so loudly and proudly gave me a “hand gesture”, and rather than taking it as a grain of salt, I put up my arms and yelled “REALLY?” I'm sure he's still beaming that he nearly scared the living daylights out of me and, obviously, I'm still thinking about that dude who seemed to define "road rage".

I typically say, "In the light of eternity, does it really matter?" But it does matter when we feel mistreated, betrayed, rejected, and disappointed. We can take it and take it and take it some more, and while we'd love to know we had attained the character of Jesus, sometimes, one time too often, we face that "final straw that broke the camel's back". As I type this post, I hear that still, small voice, clearly say "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A5s2feN6Yk

As long as we're in these earth suits, we have the ability to fail, make mistakes, and just "lose it". But the more we strive to be like Him who was without fault, the more of Him we'll possess. How thankful I am, that He who I desire to be like the most, so quickly forgives me when I falter, and is WHO I want to emulate when I need to forgive. How sweet this life is.....when each time we fall, we can get back up again and become better than before. Donnie McClurkin wrote a song that said, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a Saint, is just a Sinner who fell down....and got up!" I love this song -- listen and feel what I feel -- when I fall down and get back up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A5s2feN6Yk

You Can't Put Love on Cruise Control

I attended Holy Cross Church yesterday and was blessed in several ways, besides being able to worship and praise God for His many graces and blessings to me.

First of all the East Indian pastor was congratulated and applauded because this last week, he became a U.S. citizen. He had been the pastor of this church for two years and he expressed his gratitude and love to the congregation because they loved him even before he became a citizen. We sang "America. America. God shed His grace on thee, and crowned thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea." Oh, that we natural born Americans truly had the gratitude of living and appreciating this great land as those who were deprived and marginalized and now know freedom and liberty.

The pastor went on to give a beautiful message about loving to the nth degree -- on purpose. He told this story:

"A very astute businessman, as well as a loving and devoted husband, wanted to be absolutely sure he wasn't one of those guys that forgot his wife's birthday or anniversary. So, he made a deal with the florist to ALWAYS send his wife flowers on her birthday AND their anniversary, without fail. The card with the flowers always said, "With all my love, your loving husband". Year after year, she felt so loved and remembered by her husband. Then, on one of the occasions, the husband came home, saw the flowers and said, "Nice flowers. Who are they from?" Ouch! He got caught. The pastor said, "You can't put love on cruise control or auto pilot! Love is on purpose. Love is being present. John 13:35 says "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

How do we measure up? Do others know that we're a disciple by the way we talk the "love talk" and walk the "love walk"?

Here's a love test to know we're loving disciples....or not! Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and it not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own way, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

If we combine 1 Corinthians 13 and John 13, what would our lives look like? How would people come to recognize Christians? Well, they would know us by our patience. They would know that we are Christians by our contentment, modesty, and humility. They would recognize us, for we would not be rude. We would seek the best for others, be difficult to make angry, and refuse to keep count of how many times we've been hurt. They would know us because evil makes us sad, and truth makes us happy. They would know us because we protect the defenseless and we do not live in suspicion of others. They would know us by our hope. They would know us by our perseverance. That is what love looks like. Those should be the marks of Christ’s disciples.

It's our responsibility to change what the world thinks of Christians. It’s our responsibility to demonstrate that radical love St. Paul described to the Corinthians. Because then, one by one, people might start to know Jesus a little better. Because then, one by one, we could really reach the world with this radical, biblical, Christ-like love.

Marriage is 50/50 -- That's Garbage! Love Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry -- That's Garbage!

For the last three Sundays, the scripture readings in the Catholic Church, have been from Matthew 5 which includes Christ's Sermon on the Mount. The 1st Sunday -- the Beatitudes; the 2nd Sunday -- being salt and light and last Sunday's was "stepping up our game". Well, not exactly in those words, but Pastor Samuel Hose at Emmaus Parish (aka Church of the Resurrection) here in Austin, shared words that inspired me for today's post. Last Sunday pastors and ministers everywhere probably focused, or at least mentioned in their messages, about love because Valentine's Day was coming up.

Father Samuel said. "It's time to step up our game. From Matthew 5's readings we heard Jesus talk about stepping up our game. For example: In the Old Testatment it said, 'You shall not kill or you'll be liable for judgment", but Jesus stepped up the game by saying 'Don't even be angry with your brother or you'll be liable for judgment.' He also said 'You have heard that it was said (in the Old Testament), 'You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, he who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'" Now that's sincerely "stepping up the game"! It put a whole new light on "just getting by with just enough Christianity to make it through the Pearly Gates". God created a whole new standard for us. Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us..."

Father Samuel shared that he had performed a wedding ceremony the day before. He said, "I told the couple that people might have told you 'Marriage is 50/50'. That's garbage! Others might have told you that marriage means never having to say your sorry'. That's garbage! I tell you where you step up your game in your marriage is to recall this day when you said and made your vows before our Holy God and to each other. Your marriage will always be blessed as you recall these promises you made to each other before God. Live your life everyday before God. That will guarantee your marriage succeeds."

And, during this month of love, I add my two cents worth to what Father Samuel said. Those vows before God are the CENTER for which our marriages and our lives are built upon. When we fail to keep God at the center and we forget those promises we made to our CENTER, is when our marriage and even other relationships can become stale, lacking vitality, respect, honor and commitment to each other.

The newlyweds, my grandson, Braden, and granddaughter, Ruth, are so adorable and so in love after 4-1/2 months of marriage. But what will it be for them in 4 years, 14 years or 40 years, if they forget those beautiful vows of faithfulness, understanding, commitment, and servitude to each other -- if they forget their CENTER? I didn't see Ruth's wedding rings at the wedding, but I saw them this week. There are three. She says they represent "Braden, herself and God". Then she went on to give the scripture basis for the three bands which is a promise between God, you, and your husband. "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12. I loved that. God is their CENTER. God is LOVE, so then, their love for each other will continually be stepped up as long as they keep Him there in the CENTER.

Is God at the CENTER of your marriage and life? If not....He can be and will be when you welcome Him into that beautiful place of FIRST PLACE! The closer we move to God....the closer we will become to our spouses and those in our lives that we love.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Loving the Unlovely -- Test or Torture?

This Peanuts cartoon shows Lucy speaking to Linus, "I am human and I need to be loved just like everybody else does." God bless Lucy. She reminds me of some folks, even my own self, at times. If you'll remember dear Lucy's personality -- she was characterized as very loud-mouthed, violent, aggressive, temperamental, sometimes dumb. She often mocks Snoopy and his owner, Charlie Brown, and even her younger brother Linus. She can be quite antagonistic, often playing the villain role in a number of stories. She is also characterized as vain, as she believes she is beautiful and thinks she is perfect (though she once admitted complaining is the only thing she can do well). But, in response to Lucy in this photo, I reply with, "Yes, Lucy, you're right. We all need to love and be loved."

The Apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 13, ”"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love, I am a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal."

I've been mulling over this post for weeks now. I've subtlely posted about loving the unlovely -- not that it's an easy thing to do, but because it's the right thing to do. I can't speak to those who just don't care or those who are bent on being name callers and making really snide and ugly remarks about others, but I am referring to my brothers and sisters in Christ who have found it a popular thing to do -- to speak some of the unkindest words during this election process. It's one thing to disagree, but it's a whole other thing, to justify cold-heartedness. I am disheartened that our loved has been reduced to sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. This post today isn't to those on the other side of love -- it's for those of us on God's side -- those of us who are supposed to be taking the higher road, the road less traveled, Have we heard 1 Corinthians 13 so often that we no longer think about what those words mean?

I get it. We are disappointed in our country's leaders. The candidates in this election are certainly not the caliber of leaders that we would hope to rpresent us in the highest office of our land. It's so easy to get caught up in the hype and anger and sheer craziness during this election time. "We've NEVER seen anything like it" -- that's what news commentators say, and that's what we citizens say. But as off-the-wall crazy as it all is.....we must remind ourselves as many times as necessary to go back to WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). He's our "rule of measure". He was despised and rejected and even though He was a perfect and innocent man, was tortured and killed. He only loved. He taught us how to love. He loved even the unloveliest and even died to save them. He forgave "Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Maybe it's time that, rather than focusing on the weaknesses of our candidates, to give ourselves the LOVE TEST and see if we'll pass with flying colors. Let's ask God to help us be LOVERS with these "love" qualities: After reading these words, let's read them again and replace the word "love" with our name. "Love is patient -- Donna is patient. Love is kind -- Donna is kind. Dear God, where I fall short, renew my heart and soul to be a LOVER like YOU!

1) Love is patient.
2) Love is kind.
3) Love is not jealous.
4) Love does not brag.
5) Love is not arrogant.
6) Love does not act unbecomingly.
7) Love does not seek its own.
8) Love is not provoked.
9) Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.
10) Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness.
11) Love rejoices with the truth.
12) Love bears all things.
13) Love believes all things.
14) Love hopes all things.
15) Love endures all things.

God doesn't ask us to do anything without His grace to do it. Let's be LOVERS not haters!

We Welcome to the World, Another Mr. & Mrs. Wuerch!

And they will live happily ever after.....well, at least that's what we hope and pray for, but as Pastor Danny Chambers spoke in the ceremony -- we all know marriage is never all sweet -- there's some challenges that they will inevitably face. Those who have been married know that to be true. But, on this day, the world is their oyster and a beautiful future is promised to them as long as they do their part.....from this day forward.

Braden Wuerch and Ruth Hays became husband and wife last night in a most beautiful outdoor ceremony in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia with 8 groomsmen and 8 bridesmaids, Barrett Wuerch, Braden's brother, his best man, and Ruth's sister, Rebeca, her Maid of Honor, two sweet brothers who were "Junior" Best Men and a host of friends and relatives that witnessed their vows to be madly in love with each other forever. We'll keep reminding them of that should they forget this day, but we know they won't. After almost six years of dating, they know life can be quite daunting at times, but with the vows they made, the love they share and with our prayers for a "happily ever after", we know this couple will stand the test of time. We're putting our trust in God to draw them close to Him each and every day to ensures that to be true.

What a joy it was for me to "officially" get another granddaughter. Ruth has seemed like one long before now, but now it's official. Their wedding was complete with a beautiful dinner, dance and lots of memories made. Seeing the photo of my sweetheart and my wedding displayed, only reminded me of the covenant my love and I made when we were married. It stuck. And I pray that for my sweet Braden and Ruth. A day to remember for a lifetime. Thankfully, we'll be cherishing the memories forever and watching them live out the commitments they made on October 1st, 2016. I pray that their love for each other will grow stronger every passing day -- that 1 Corinthians 13 will always be their standard -- "Now abides faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love!"

July 8th, 1966 -- Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Us!

50 years ago today, I married my best friend and the love of my life, and I am grateful for every second of it. I miss him today – more than ever. This day is one we looked forward to -- to get to celebrate the commitment we made 50 years ago to love and cherish each other until death do us part.

Those two young kids, so in love, had no earthly idea what was ahead for them. We loved and we cherished for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and though the words said “until death do us part”, the “until” part is incorrect. Beyond death, I still love and cherish that beautiful man that loved and cherished me for the 44 years, 4 months and 8 days we had together (plus the 5 years we had together from ages 12 and 13 – we married when I was 17 and he was 18). There weren’t many things we would do without the other, but this time, God’s plans outweighed our plans. One of us got their “early departure ticket” for heaven. He earned it, and God was ready to give him His best!

Yes, we came upon the “in sickness and in health“ part sooner than we could have imagined. Was it 44 years of wedded bliss? Heavens, NO! It was 44 years of a whole lotta beautiful times, but also a whole lotta tough times. Much of this young girl’s dream for “happy ever after” went by the way side – probably in the first week of marriage. LOL! My sweet husband worked a full time job, carried a full load of college hours and I worked at a $1.25/hour job to help make ends meet. Then at 3 months of marriage, my Sweetheart – the daring, bold and audacious risk taker that he was, announced, “I think it’s time we should start our family!” Bada bing, bada boom – 9 months later we had a beautiful baby boy that added to the mix of our young, naïve “happy ever after” world.

Probably the most challenging part of our first year of marriage was that we were two kids, flying by the seat of our pants, learning each day what love and forgiveness were all about. We’d argue about some of the craziest things. Oftentimes our quarrels were more like siblings than husband and wife. Our two kids learned the word for those quarrels was “discussions”. LOL! Oh how I remember the many times when I had to go to God for help with being a gentle, loving and sweet wife. I remember well, sleeping as close to the edge of the bed as I could get because I wanted him punished for something so insignificant. We had so much to learn.

As I posted a couple of weeks ago, however, our CENTER was God. We were always (eventually – sometimes later than sooner) drawn back to His words about LOVE in 1 Corinthians 13: “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.”

Heads up for the newcomers, and those who have made it for several years, bottom line – marriage is NOT easy. There are some really serious issues that come with the territory. That’s why we needed divine help. The vows that we said on our wedding day, 50 years ago, were real to us. We made vows before God, and we continued to call on Him for strength to make it through those times. We found that whatever the situations were that we faced, God was ALWAYS there to help us through it. None of our issues fazed God in the slightest. And best news of all – He could handle it. So much so, that our journey became sweeter and sweeter as the years went by. The depth of our love and respect for each other became pure gold. And, gold is the symbol for 50. I like to think that while my sweetheart walks on streets of pure gold today in heaven, my life continues to be filled with so many golden nuggets that include my family, friends and most of all, God’s love and peace that keeps this girl cherishing this GOLDEN journey of faith!

So, today, July 8th, 2016, I’m thanking you, Father God, for loving me so much that you showered your blessings upon me to the fullest. Knowing how our story together would end….I’d do it all again….and I’d say “yes” again and again. And to show how thankful I am…..I’m going to continue strong on this amazing faith journey, make more memories with our family and friends and continue writing many chapters in my journal that celebrate LIFE on this side of heaven…..until the day I get to join my Honey at HOME!
Happy 50th Anniversary, My Darling!

Love is the Answer to EVERYTHING!

Day 29 in this Month of Love -- Love is the Answer to EVERYTHING
This day marks the last day in my celebration of this month of love. Why would God want me to post about love this month? And perhaps a more telling question, why would our enemy NOT want me to post about love? Love is the answer to everything that this crazy world needs more than anything, and, of course, the enemy of our souls wants to keep us from loving. But, we refuse his tactics and lies, and with everything in us, we choose to love. I want to end this month of love with a strong nudge to all of us to take these messages of love beyond today and this month to a love that lasts a lifetime. A love that is generational. A love that is universal. May we become radical about the love we have for others that will cause this world to be shaken up with the power of love.

Mother Teresa said, “I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' Rather He will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?”

Since the beginning of time, the enemy has done his best to try to eradicate love from this earth. He keeps failing at it. One of these days he'll get it -- BIG TIME! He's doomed. Love created this world and all that is in it. Love created you and me. Love will win in the end, for God is love and His love is unchangeable, unending, and best of all -- UNFAILING.

Love will still conquer any and every matter of life. May love be our driving force as we pursue it in every way. What if our world could be changed by the measure of love we give. Where do we start? Remember the "love is" chapter -- 1 Corinthians 13? Putting the love chapter in the "first person" tense and REALLY strive to live it and be it -- that's where......
OUR LOVE IS.....
We determine to be patient and kind.
We refuse to be envious and boastful.
We will not be arrogant or rude.
We will not insist on having to have our own way.
We will not be irritable or resentful.
We will not rejoice at wrongdoing.
We always rejoice with the truth.
We bear all things.
We believe all things.
We hope all things.
We endure all things.
Our love never ends.

Love is the answer to everything. 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."

Let's change our world with LOVE! I love you and you and you.....pass it on!

Can We Pass the Love Test?

Day 11 in this Month of Love -- Can We Pass the Love Test?
I can't post about LOVE in this Month of Love without mentioning the scripture that we hear in just about every wedding ceremony. Words from the "Love" chapter, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

"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 (oh me, how many times did I miss that one?); 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."

WOW -- that's a boatload! And, I'll admit there have been plenty of times when I had to do a self analysis and if God were giving me a Love Test, I'm not quite sure if I would have passed the test. If I replaced LOVE in that scripture with my name, how would I measure up? For example, "Donna is patient and kind; Donna does not envy or boast; Donna is not arrogant or rude. Donna doesn't insist on her own way.........."

I wonder if we sincerely took those words to heart and applied them and heeded them in our marriages and friendships, how many relationships would be saved? What if we quoted this chapter before our feet hit the floor each morning? Imagine how we could change our world when we made LOVE our priority? .

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life."

How can we compare THAT love to the love that we share? In reality, we are just not capable, in ourselves, to love the unlovely or love those who have hurt us, but if we ask God to place within us His AGAPE love (His selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love), we CAN be that kind of LOVER. AGAPE love is a divine capacity to love. And I pray for His AGAPE love to be in me and you today, AND to flow through us to those who need His love so much.

Love through me, Holy Spirit, love through me,
I will be my brother's keeper, love through me;
Hearts are bleeding deep inside, love can dry the weeping eye,
Love through me, Holy Spirit, love through me..

A True Romance is Going On

Day 269 of Photo Inspirations -- A True Romance is Going On
So I've known romance.  My husband was the truest romantic EVER.  He loved candlelight, love songs, little "I love you" notes, surprise date locations, slow dancing, surprise gifts, and though I knew I wasn't the most beautiful girl in the world, he made me feel like I was.

I'm studying and preparing for a Bible Study I'll be leading, starting next Monday, the 5th.  God led me to the study of  "Knowing Them By Their Fruit" and "The Fruit of the Spirit".  The Fruit of the Spirit's qualities are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I believe the foundational quality of them all is LOVE.  After all, GOD IS LOVE, and He embodies all of those qualities.  That's why we pray...."Make me more like YOU!"

“And now abide these three: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

Yes, my Sweetheart was a true romantic.  But the love talked about in this verse is the truest of true romantic loves.  The love of God -- THE purest love.   Completely selfless, immensely sacrificial, unstoppable, a burning and unquenchable passion, a jealous and unchanging love.  This makes it the strongest possible kind.  And one that is so incomparable.  It can’t be bought, it is only given.  It is never manipulated, but given with grace.  And it can never, ever be broken.  The truth is, not even death can contain, limit or abolish this awesome love of God.

And here's some really good news that those of us may miss or be longing for -- our relationship with God is a romance.  And a greater romance has never been told.  It’s a romance that is eternal, not like the world’s.  It’s a romance that is infinite.  It was being formed before the universe was spoken into existence.   That same love is the one, the same power that sustained Christ when He gave up His last breath on the cross to save a heartless and undeserving world.  And THAT love is woven and knit into each of His children.  He is constantly wooing us and romancing us through blessings that He continually pours out on our lives.  When no human stands with us through a storm, He is always there.  When we experience heartache and pain, He remains faithful.  This love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Our romantic God shows us us what TRUE LOVE and TRUE romance is all about!

Here is how our romantic God shows what TRUE LOVE is:
Love is patient. Love is kind.  Love is not jealous. Love is not boastful.  Love is not rude.  Love is selfless.  Love forgives and forgets.  Love rejoices in the truth. Love never fails.

Time to Take the Love Test

It's time to take a LOVE TEST -- let's see how we're weathering this week!

Are we patient and kind?
Are we rejecting the temptation to be envious or being a bragger?
Rather than being self-seeking, and prideful -- are we rejoicing with someone else's victories and celebrations?
In spite of the opportunity, are we refraining from being rude or angry?
Are we "hoping" all day, with the expectation that something good is about to happen?
Are we having an "I will not quit" attitude?
Are we protecting our family and friends with an attitude of being their armor bearer?
Are we trusting God in the midst of the storms around us?

If we could answer "YES" to each of the above......then we're passing the LOVE TEST, and it's time to celebrate, because we've found out how to CONQUER..... because LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!