Love and Marriage and Love

"Love and Marriage" seemed to have been the themes in church services I attended on Sunday. The first inspiring message I heard delved into what causes divorce and one of the first reasons was because they starting saying the word “divorce”. The minister said when couples say their vows and make lifelong commitments together, then “divorce” should never be an option. He said, “From the very beginning, remove the word “divorce” from your vocabulary. People do not look for a door where one does not exist.” Mark 10:9 -- “Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.” Good advice!

He further said, “Every morning, wake up with choosing to bear the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Imagine
how precious marriage can be when each one is filled up with those juicy and delectable fruit.

Then, Sunday night, the minister spoke about following God’s rules. In the Old Testament, the rule to Abraham was: “I am the One True God. Follow me.” To Moses, He gave the 10 Commandments. But then Jesus came and He stepped it up. In His Sermon on the Mount, He gave the Beatitudes in which our dispositions change from the outward following to an inward heart change that says “I want to”… .Jesus said “You have heard ‘You shall not kill’, but He expanded it to ‘You shall not be angry’; Instead of “Do not commit adultery”, He expanded it to “Do not even look at another with lust” and He expanded “Do not take a false oath”, He expanded it to saying our vows mean “Divorce should not be an option. Put a stake in the ground.” Such powerful words for couples AND individuals in our desire to be faithful, true and devoted followers of Christ in our marriages and even in our single lives.

Finally, our pastor invited couples, in honor of St. Valentine’s having been celebrated during the week, to stand up. I nudged the man in front of me to stand up even though his wife couldn’t make the service. As he was standing up, Pastor said “Even if your spouse isn’t here, stand up!” So, I stood up, too! And, as he was praying over these couples and their commitments to each other and their support of each other, I realized “Oops! He was speaking to those who have LIVING spouses." I laughed at myself for standing. When the prayer was over, I turned to my friend and said, “Oops, my husband is in heaven! I assure you! We get along really well now!" Oh me!

My own final words for thought and application to you who are married: Live like there is no tomorrow. Live with no regrets. Be writing your love story every day so that when you or your loved one steps over to heaven’s side and awaits you there, you’ll carry with you so many precious memories of undying passion and your never-ending love story right on into eternity. I did and I do. Eternity awaits me AND you!

What Are You Passionate About?

After our Walk for Life yesterday morning, I made it home in time to hear the announcement that Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as Supreme Court Justice. I thought about the passion that had been displayed during this process by the opposing sides, the media, the senators, the activists that pounded their way into the chambers; incredibly emotional and convinced people on both sides. Then I saw emotions rise even higher as angry protesters passionately chanted on the steps of the supreme court. One thing’s for sure: They ARE passionate. I’ll be honest with you – I sensed my passion needed a pick-me-up in comparison to those highly passionate men and women I saw standing up for what they believe in – right or wrong.

Yesterday morning, some of our EMwomen joined other passionate people in the Walk/Hike for Life in McKinney, TX. There were booths set up with passionate representatives from homes for pregnant, homeless women that provide hope and help to them. Centers were represented for women who need healing after choosing abortion and for helping women to choose life. There are many people who are passionate about “choosing life” and who devote themselves to many volunteer hours to help make a difference. What is it that drives these people to give of their time to causes like this? What drove our little band of women and one strong man to raise funds and to show up to walk for life? It was the passion to make a difference.

It's time we all become passionate people -- to be those who put our lives on the line for a cause that radically changes the face of our country. Nothing great is ever accomplished in life without passion. Nothing great is ever sustained in life without passion. Passion is what energizes revolutions and mobilizes armies into action. Passion is what causes explorers to boldly go where no man's gone before. Passion is what causes scientists to spend late night hours trying to find the cure to a dreaded disease. Passion makes the impossible possible. Passion gives us a reason to get up in the morning and say, "I’m going to do something with my life today." Who wants a boring, monotonous, routine life? God created us with the emotions to have passion in our lives and He wants us to live a passionate life.

Today, I ask, “What are you passionate about?” Are you passionate enough to give your all to a cause that could change the world? That kind of passion changed the U.S. when the Roe vs Wade decision was made 45 years ago. Since 1973, as of 5 am today, there have been 60,780,461 abortions; murders of precious babies (the ticker went up one by one as I watched online). What kind of passion drove prayer out of our schools and the 10 commandments from public spaces? What kind of passion was changed the definition of marriage between a man and a woman? My fellow believers in God’s Word, IT IS TIME to wake up and be heard with our passion for life, for morality, for righteousness and the truth of God’s Word. We must not be silent and nonchalant any longer. It's time we stir up our passion and register to vote in the November 6th election.

The passion of Jesus led to the redemption of man. We can model His passion. The Bible tells us that we’re to seek God passionately. We’re to love God passionately. The Bible says that we’re to serve and obey God passionately. We’re to trust God passionately. Then as if we didn’t get the message, in Colossians 3:23 He says "Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart as unto the Lord and not unto men." He says I want you to do everything passionately when it comes to loving Me, serving Me, living for Me.

Commandments or Keys to a Blessed Life?

My word for today is COMMANDMENT: an authoritative command or order; mandate; precept.

What was God thinking? Ten Commandments to live by? After all, we have just one life to live and shouldn’t we live it with no restrictions and no holds barred? Weren’t they just suggestions? Those questions almost seem sacrilegious, don’t they?

By the same token, why do we COMMAND our children: “Look both ways before you cross the street” and “DO NOT touch that burner on the stove” and “DO NOT put that screw driver into the electric socket”. Are those commandments or are they words of wisdom and great love to keep them from harm?

I’ve been pondering how great God’s love was for us when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments. He loved His children so much that He wanted them to be blessed beyond measure and spared the pain of regret and harm. Here’s a reminder of those COMMANDMENTS:
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6, You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

Like we give our children COMMANDMENTS, God gave us the Commandments to protect us from harm – mentally, physically, and spiritually. I think about the protection, peace, joy, being close with God, hearing His voice, having daily sweet communion with our Father and experiencing the comfort of “It is well with my soul” when we obey and keep those keys to a blessed life. It truly baffles me that anyone could object to them unless they are willing to be subjected to harm, loss of peace, and destruction.

If the Ten Commandments weren’t setting the bar high enough, what in the world was Jesus thinking when He came up with an even “stiffer” set of commandments in Matthew 5:21-48? “Do not murder” wasn’t enough because Jesus said, “Anyone who is ANGRY with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Apparently, “Do not commit adultery” wasn’t enough because Jesus said, “I tell you that anyone who LOOKS at a woman lustfully, has already committed adultery.” And, I might add, He even said “If your eyes cause you to stumble, gouge it out.” YIKES!!

Yes, Jesus raised the bar on the Ten Commandments and took them to a new level by wrapping them all up in one concise GREAT COMMANDMENT: “You shall love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31). He taught that everything is summed up in love of God, love of self, and love of neighbor.

Before His death on the cross, He reminded his disciples of that COMMANDMENT in even more concise words: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

Here is the crux of what I’m trying to say to my dear friends and family today. God didn't create us for mediocrity. He created us in His image -- He makes the impossible, possible. He makes can't, can. There's nothing mediocre about Him. His expectations for us are extremely HIGH! Why should we be satisfied with a just-get-by mindset, when we have a Father who is unlimited and abounding in love and favor toward us? He desires that we live and experience an abundant life of blessings. He wants us free from heartache and pain. If we want to protect our children from anything harmful – how much more does our Heavenly Father want to bless us? And, if He didn't think it were possible, He would have never set such high standards for us. That's raising the bar. God didn’t set the bar high so that we would fail. He did it to show how high He can take us! We'll have to stretch out of our comfort zone, but the benefits of stretching gives us rewards beyond our greatest expectations.

Army VALUES. Family VALUES.

Yesterday morning at church, a man from my neighborhood and I visited a few minutes and our conversation led to his two sons who have made serving in the Air Force a career. One was just promoted to Colonel. He quickly pulled up a photo of his sons and two of his grandsons, who all serve in the armed forces. Those four men are bringing such pride and joy to this man, who is himself, retired from the army. I was inspired enough to hone in on some of those values that this family lives by.

My word for today is VALUES -- a person's principles of behavior; standards, ethics, moral code, morals. VALUES are those specifics that define who we are and are the absolute non-negotiables in our lives.

I am always touched when I see a young man or woman in their military uniform or fatigues. They represent such commitment and selfless sacrifice. The Army's 7 Core Values are: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Courage. It causes me to look introspectively at my own values..

When God made us, He planted within us certain things that we value deeply. They’re hardwired in our heart. Through our life experiences – from the environment we are raised in, the schools we go to, the friends we associate with, and the religious foundation we receive, God made them clear to us. These are the things that we would be willing to die for. They explain how we come by our personal priorities AND the absolutes . If our values include the 10 Commandments, God’s Word and God’s love….I’d say, “We’re making this world a better place.”

Every one of our politicians came from families – either they were taught the Golden Rule or they weren’t. They were taught character, honor, respect, human dignity…..or they weren’t. If family values are instilled in each other, all those qualities of how we want to live our family life will be passed down through all generations. Values help define the way we behave in various situations. They help us make right and good choices, and they solidify the bonds we have together. If our family members respect each other – chances are very good, they’ll respect others. If they live by “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” that’s how they’ll treat others. If they support each other, they’ll support their fellow man. If they respect their family’s lives, they’ll respect other lives.

Moses delivered God's Ten Commandments on a tablet of stone and if those commandments were followed, the Israelites would experience God's favor and blessings. Just imagine the blessings that would be on our families if we not only followed God's Ten Commandments, but also the family values (non-negotiables) that we stood for in our homes and lives.

Perhaps it's time to put a stake in the ground on behalf of our families and define those things that matter most to us and when we do, then we'll be blessed in our homes and we'll pass them on to our children and their children. Indeed it would be a HOME SWEET HOME.

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!”

This is What Prayer, Faith, and Giving God First Place Looks Like

Day 343 of Photo Inspirations -- This is what Prayer, Faith, and Giving God First Place Looks Like

In an upside down world where many folks prefer hanging out in the darkness more than THE LIGHT-- the ones who want prayer out of schools, the marketplace, their homes, their work and even their lives -- how delightful it is when those of us who live in the LIGHT.....see that lightly shining so brightly.

Case in point.......while attending a meeting at Christ the King Church on Monday, I walked down the halls of its Marquette School. I saw these posters made by their students and, yes, I was inspired -- thus my photo inspirations for today. It blessed me to see what a Christian education looks like -- especially in the likes of these posters. This is really what a foundation of prayer, faith, serving and giving God first place in our children's lives looks like.

I felt God's peace as I walked those halls. I sensed this was a place where God is talked about a lot. It's a place where the 10 Commandments is not only taught....but it's where they're being lived out by faculty and students. It's a place where they are not afraid to evangelize and form disciples who enthusiastically bring Christ home with them to their families and friends while they are being developed into strong men and women. They are receiving a solid base of values that will hopefully be their constant throughout the rest of their lives: respect, faithfulness, compassion, love for each other. Are mistakes made there? No doubt there are. But, it's also a place of finding forgiveness.

I'm by no means making this a post to sell my FB friends on this particular school, but I am advocating that what our world needs is love, sweet love, and a leaning into God's love and His Word AND Light that teaches us the ways to live a blessed and overcoming life. When His Light is diminished, when He is taken out of our schools, our workplaces, our homes and our lives.....we open ourselves up for the enemy and His darkness to come in -- to do what he does best -- to kill, steal and destroy. Clearly, during this beautiful season of Advent and Christmas -- we open our eyes to what Christ brought with Him when He left His throne in glory to come here...."He came to give us LIFE (not death) and LIFE more abundantly!" Good news is.....His LIGHT can NEVER be put out.

Like a Good Savior.....God's ALWAYS there!

"In Him was life, and that life brought LIGHT to humanity. And the LIGHT shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out." John 1:4-5

JUST DO IT

Day 308 of Photo Inspirations -- JUST DO IT!
Yesterday's Bible Study was on the Fruit of the Spirit's quality of Faithfulness.   What does "faithfulness" look like to you?  If God is our standard for faithfulness, then we have a lot to measure up to.  Just the thought of His faithfulness, overwhelms me.  He never gives up on us.  He's ALWAYS there for us. We never have to question His fidelity, loyalty and integrity.  He just DOES IT!

Nike's slogan "Just Do It" is a good slogan for Faithfulness -- just doing it -- the right thing -- no matter what.  Doing it regardless of feelings, moods or desires.  

Of course, we look to God for His strength on a daily basis.  Every day we're tempted to give excuses for NOT DOING IT.  We're tired, so we say “I can’t do it.”  We're just plain lazy, so we say, "I don’t want to do it."  We're feeling hopeless, so we say, "It doesn’t matter if I do it.  Why try?"  We procrastinate, so we say, “I’ll do it later."  We rationalize that we don't need to do it, so we say, "Someone else will do it."  We're apathetic to it all, so we say, “I don’t care if I do it."   We're rebellious, so we say, "I won't do it!"
 
Let’s bring it home.  What are the true marks of faithfulness that we want to bear and emulate with a JUST DO IT attitude:

We follow through…on whatever we have to do and we finish it.
We come through….no matter what.
We deliver the goods…..a borrowed cup of sugar.or a finished project.
We show up…..even early so others won’t worry.
We keep our word….our 'yes' means yes and our 'no' means no
We keep our commitments and appointments….we don't cancel.
We are regular church attenders......we don’t neglect worshipping our FAITHFUL God.
We are devoted to fidelity, loyalty, integrity and honor in friendships and marriage.
We live by the Golden Rule and the 10 Commandments.  

We may stumble from time to time, but we don’t stay down for long -- for we are faithful and devoted followers of Christ.  One day we’ll be rewarded because of our FAITHFULNESS and we'll hear these beautiful words: ‘Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant! You have been FAITHFUL with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21

Choose FAITHFULNESS!

The Ten Commandments and Peace

Day 274 of Photo Inspirations -- The 10 Commandments & Peace
Having spent the last 4 days at a beautiful retreat center in Luther, OK, and experiencing the peace of God in this away-from-it-all location, was beyond explanation.  Finding ourselves in many opportunities to "Be Still and Know....He is God" was exactly what we all needed to experience.   Most of us there, from young single women, to young mothers to more mature women,  live with daily opportunities to face conflict AND noise -- from careers, attending school, raising children, health and financial challenges, etc.  But, when there's an opportunity, like what we had over the last several days, to go to place of quiet and stillness, we have the incredible opportunity to refresh, restore, reconcile, and rejuvenate.

Before I left this "oasis" yesterday morning, I took these two photos -- the first being a beautiful statute of the Ten Commandments carved into marble stone.  And, then as we were driving out of the Retreat Center, this sign bade us farewell......"Go in Peace".

I thought about what we experienced during those 4 days -- peace, serenity, feeling in touch with God, hearing His voice, having MANY "aha" moments, seeing women experience life transformation, and it occurred to me......those 10 Commandments expressed how it's possible.

1.  You shall have no other gods before Me.
2.  You shall not make idols.
3.  You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4.  Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5.  Honor your father and your mother.
6,  You shall not murder.
7.  You shall not commit adultery.
8.  You shall not steal.
9.  You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

I read this in our local newspaper:  "Last week, the Capitol Preservation Commission, following a ruling by the state Supreme Court and a district judge, ordered that the Ten Commandments monument be removed from the Capitol grounds by Oct. 12th."

Honestly, I don't get that those 10 Commandments could be so controversial, but nevertheless, for my part.....I live by them.  And, I'm so thankful that the blessings in my life are attributed to those "rules of conduct", God's laws, and keeping Him FIRST above all else.  Everyone is entitled to their own rules of conduct, but "As for me AND my house....we will serve the Lord".

Of course, leaving those grounds and seeing those words "Go in Peace" made perfect sense as to how we should live.  "Go in God's peace" that represents the greatest "system" for success -- principles that respect our fellow man -- principles that, if followed, guarantee a peaceful and abundant life.

And, by the way, it's possible to find a place of peace like that Retreat Center.....even if it's in the middle of a football game or cleaning house with kids playing Nerf War games.  In our hearts and minds, we can "check-out" of the routine and experience that "peace that passes understanding".  Going to Him Who is our PRINCE OF PEACE -- anywhere and anytime -- we'll find Him there.  I KNOW!  I'm there right now!