When Love Broke Through

It's June 1st and I had an upbeat blog ready to go for this day, but after watching way more video clips than I should have watched of unbelievable riots, theft, damages to property and civil unrest, I sensed God nudging me to "speak His mind" on His behalf today. So -- I yield to His voice.

The predominant character trait of God is LOVE, so, of course, that would be what I should blog about today. It's the oldest of old stories "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Love broke through! And, as despicable was his death, I choose to believe that verse holds true for George Floyd. That he is with Jesus in Paradise. And, I choose to believe that verse holds true for his killers. That Jesus died even for them, and, hopefully, they, too, will join George in heaven one day.

Sounds pretty irrational, doesn't it? Oh, but the power of the greatest LOVER of all. Jesus broke through all the hate, anger, malice, rejection and even His own death. It's upside down thinking for sure, but look at how He told us to love in Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies! Bless them that curse you! Do good to them that hate you! PRAY for them who spitefully use you, and persecute you!” Doesn’t that sound preposterous? How could we possibly love someone that rejects, curses, hurts or even kills us or a family member or friend? How is it possible to love our enemies? And, even a step further, to “bless them and pray for them”? Can those words be possible?

Martin Luther King said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Jesus set the example for us. He had enemies – plenty of them. They lied about Him. They beat Him. They mocked Him. They killed Him. He loved them anyway. And if we believe in Him, it’s time to turn things “upside down” and “inside out”, and say to our enemies, “I love you. I would rather die than hate you.” May we put away our swords of embittered words and actions. May we take up our crosses of love and follow Jesus Who showed us how to live and love, and as He told us to pray for them, we pray this prayer for them now:

"Lord of love, we pray for You to bless our enemies. Open their ears to the Truth. Open their minds to understand the Gospel. Open their hearts to long for Your love. Draw them to Yourself Your Light is stronger than their darkness Bring them into the Light. Save them for all eternity. May Your love break through to them. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus."

Toby Mac sings it like this: "When love broke thru / You found me in the darkness / Wanderin' thru the desert / I was a hopeless fool / Now I'm hopelessly devoted / My chains are broken / And it all began with You / When love broke thru / And it all began with You / When love broke thru".

We can sing "What the world needs now is love sweet love" until we're blue in the face, but until we possess God's love in our hearts -- we will never measure up to what's needed for change in our world today. I'm praying for love to break through in our world. Will you join me in that prayer?

He's a Good Shepherd

Here I go again with more inspiration from "the tales of Bryson". My youngest grandson’s life is consumed with the great outdoors and his animals, so of course, his live-stock causes my mind's "ticker tape" to keep rolling!

His priority is his animals' care and he loves it when I help him feed them at the corral or when he moves his goats and donkeys over to the pasture area that has plenty of “greens” for them to consume during the day. It’s a hoot to watch the goats, even with so much grass around to eat – that they still stand on their hind legs to get to the tastiest treats from the trees.

Those animals know their master. When he calls – even the donkeys, go running to him. Of course they do, they live the high life. Even neighboring families will stop by the fences and bring food to them. They are so well cared for and so well-protected. At evening time, Bryson brings them back from the pasture to the corral because predators can show up over there at nighttime. They are pampered and well fed, even if they don’t go over to the green pastures. They are protected and out of danger. Their shepherd, Bryson, is good and loves them all.

My scripture readings lately have referenced the Shepherd and His sheep, so with the inspirations of these chickens, longhorn, goats and donkeys, plus these scriptures, I can’t help but want to hang as close as I can to MY Shepherd.

Those of us who know our Good Shepherd – are like those animals in Bryson's loving care. When we are hanging close to our Shepherd – we can rest in knowing – even in storms – He is right there with us -- tenderly loving and guiding us.

But, then what about the sheep and other animals who have no shepherd and are in places that are open-prey to ravenous creatures and deadly storms? How do they come into the fold?
It's so simple -- surrender to the care of THE Good Shepherd Who lovingly welcomes them into His watchful care. Jesus does. He shares something central to a life of peace and contentment. He says, "I am the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11) Like a shepherd, He leads, feeds, protects and saves His sheep. How can He be so unrelenting in love for us?

And the answer has always been the same -- simple, yet profound -- God IS love. It is Who He is. He can't stop loving us. We are His children, and we are the sheep of His pasture.

As, one of those well-fed, cared for, protected and pampered sheep, I delightfully proclaim: "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for He is with me. His rod and His staff -- they comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23.

And, He welcomes you to be loved and cared for in His green pastures, too!

What Matters Most is Walking in Love

The Love Month is well underway, love is in the air, and today is my children's 22nd wedding anniversary (see my separate post that honors their love story). I'm on purpose to awaken our senses to not just "talk the talk" but "walk the walk of love".

God IS LOVE and the lesson He wants us to learn on earth is how to love. To say “I love you” can sound like a cliché if our actions don’t measure up to those words. We say “I love you” in the same sentence that we say “I love chocolate cake” and there are times when it seems the one saying those words loves chocolate cake more than us. We say “I love my neighbor” in the same thought as “I wish my neighbor would keep his kids off my lawn”. Rick Warren says: “Learning to love unselfishly is certainly not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That’s why we’re given a lifetime to learn it."

Of course, God wants us to love everyone, but He’s particularly concerned that we learn to love others in His family. Paul wrote: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10) That’s why it’s so awesome to be in the Family of God. Not because we are a “click” or “club unto ourselves”. It’s because we resemble our Father. We act like Him, talk like Him, walk like Him, forgive like Him and LOVE like Him. That’s why our character, being in His likeness, should speak volumes over those who are outside the Family of God.

Rick Warren asks: "Why does God insist that we give special love and attention to other believers? Why do they get priority in loving? Because God wants His family to be known for its love more than anything else. Jesus said our love for each other – not our doctrinal beliefs – is our greatest witness to the world. He said, 'Your strong love for each other will PROVE TO THE WORLD that you are My disciples.” (John 13:35)

Love isn’t learned from hiding out. We must be around people, even those cranky, grumpy and even frustrating people around us because God's LIGHT of LOVE in us is what the world needs NOW. Walking in love is really what life is all about. It matters most. It takes top priority. So, let’s be LOVE show-offs and go spread some of God's love today.

We're His Pampered Sheep

When my youngest grandson steps out his front door each morning, you'll immediately hear the bleating of the goats, the hee haws of the donkeys and the mooing of the longhorn. Oh, news just came in -- it is also the clucking of his new brood of chickens. They know their “master” is getting ready to tend to their needs. I can't help but think about THE ONE who steps out His door into my life each day and is there for all my needs.

Three years ago, at the magnificent Tulip Festival in Keukenhof, Holland, I was drawn to a petting corral that held beautiful, well fed sheep. No question that they were pampered and treated as royalty because of the well-protected and confined area they lived in. There's no danger of harm there and they don't even need a shepherd. Those thoughts remind me of Psalm 23 and the more I read these words, the more insight the Lord gives me about our relationship.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

But, what about those sheep that are in a field, open-prey to ravenous animals and harm? They are the ones that truly need a shepherd to watch over and care for them. We are like those sheep. How comforting to know that wherever we are, our Good Shepherd keeps a watchful eye on us. Jesus shares something central to our life of faith. He says, "I am the Good Shepherd." John 10:11. Like a shepherd, He leads us, feeds us, protects us, and saves us. How could He have such audacious and unrelenting love for us?

I always need those assurances in the season that I am in. The more “mature” I get, the more I am learning to embrace the admonition that Jesus is my Good Shepherd. The verb definition of the word "shepherd" means to tend, guide, and instruct. Jesus does this and infinitely more. In times of transition, I desperately need to remember the characteristics of a good shepherd. I need to know that the weight of my circumstance doesn’t rest on my shoulders. After all, I am not God. Sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I think I know better. Sometimes I think my plans are the best plans. And sometimes I think I can fix everything. But, the answer has always been the same -- simple, yet profound "God IS love". It's who He is. He can't stop loving us. We are His children, and we are the sheep of His pasture. He loves us so much that He asked His Son to leave His heavenly home, take on a human body and lay down His life for us. And, now enthroned with His Father, Jesus still guides us to safety, restores our souls and our strength.

As, one of those well-fed, cared for, and protected "pampered" sheep, I stop the "I can do" mentality and delightfully rest in knowing "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want."
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Got Fear? Get Love!

Day 28 in this Month of Love – Got Fear? Get Love!

It's quite easy to find FEAR lurking behind every corner. It can smack us in the tummy just after we've said, “What a great day it is!” Or, right after we’ve prayed. Or right after we’ve celebrated a great victory. Maybe a negative medical report came in, or we’ve lost our cell phone, or our car broke down and there’s not enough in the bank to repair it. I’ve been there. I have been literally worried sick about so many things, including my finances, what people thought about me, and what tomorrow would hold for me.

Once upon a time, my husband was my “go to” guy for those things that seemed to overwhelm me. He did a great job of relieving my insecurities and concerns. He was my rock and pillar of strength. He was a man of many talents and abilities. He could fix just about anything, and if he couldn’t, he sure knew who to go for the help he needed. Yes, God was #1 for me, but right up there pretty close to God, was my husband. So what does a girl do when her very-close-to-God guy checks out of this earth and leaves her with facing life by herself? Oh, sweet relief. I know. God becomes her ALL in ALL! She does what she was supposed to have done long before – be her #1 for any and everything that concerns her. Now God is my “go to” Lord and His perfect love has given me all the right reasons to be strong, brave, courageous AND the ability to resist fear. His LOVE is greater than any fear.

1st John 4:18 says that perfect love casts out fear. Maybe Perfect Love should be capitalized, because the only Perfect Love is God's love. God IS Love. If we’re afraid of facing a person or a situation in our life, God’s love can help us put our fears to rest. That verse points out that we should be conscious of God’s love. It needs to more than just a fact from the Bible to us. We ought to be experiencing it daily.

It would be so easy to run away from it all.....but the one with undaunted faith and determination simply RISES above it all and conquers anything that resembles FEAR -- we FACE THAT GIANT -- and aim our sling at its ugly head and declare: I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR and I rise above it ALL! After all, my PERFECT One casts out all MY fears.

Being Perfectly Loved

Just look at these 64 radiant women, all aglow with God's PERFECT love shining through, after the most amazing 4 days of enrichment and basking in such epic and special times together. Sincerely, those 4 days were life-changing in so many ways. Our love for God, and His love for us, went to a another level as we praised and worshipped Him together.

One of the highlights of the retreat was hearing Msgr Dan Mueggenborg speak these words of Jesus "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) Then he said, "There you go, someone else is expecting you to be perfect. Your parents, your husband, your children, your boss -- all expect you to be perfect, and if that isn't enough....NOW GOD!" To that, the chapel was filled with women bursting into laughter. He went on to describe how the world portrays beauty and perfectionism by the way we should look -- all polished, manicured, slim and trim, dressed to the T and carrying ourselves fully together and PERFECT.

But the fact is -- we are all less-than-perfect. Does God really expect us to be perfect as He is perfect? How is that possible? The God Who IS Love made us in His image. We were made to love as He loves. Colossians 2:10 says "And you are complete in Him (Christ)....." By that one word "complete", we're shown that we have in Christ whatever is required of us. 1 John 4:16 says "God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God, and God abides him." We'll never, on our own, be perfect on this side of heaven, but as we live in Him, the PERFECT ONE, we have the ability to love as He loved. Perfection becomes an ongoing goal -- day-by-day, year-by-year. Not in the world's sense, but on our own journey to become perfected in love (God is love) and to grow in becoming more like Him -- the PERFECT ONE.

"Make me more like You, Jesus. Make me more like You. Give me a heart that's filled with love, and make me more like You."

Everybody Deserves Somebody

Day 261 of Photo Inspirations -- Everybody Deserves Somebody
I have the solution for relationships that last, whether it be a marriage, partnership, or friendship.  It's also the solution for raising kids, caring for elderly parents, maintaining healthy appreciation and cooperation in dealing with extended family.

There are so many opportunities for conflict and disputes in whatever relationship we may have. But....if this one criteria is met, I can guarantee success.  It is being CENTER-FOCUSED on the PEACEMAKER.  He who speaks "PEACE BE STILL" and He who is the epitome of unconditional love --- is the ONE who, if placed at the core of every relationship we are in, we will be operating in HIS LOVE and will have appreciation for each one in our lives -- regardless how sweet OR not so sweet they may be.  How can that be?  God IS LOVE and when He is invited into the equation of our friendships and relationships, then His love will be in us and going through us to others.  

This kind of love is only possible, when we fix our eyes and hearts on the ONE who loves us unconditionally even though we fail Him and disappoint Him. He gives us forgiveness over and over. He overlooks our faults and He lavishes His grace upon us when we sure don't deserve it.  If we follow His lead and always consider WWJD "What Would Jesus Do?", then we'll become more and more like Him.  

This first photo inspiration came from the Amish Restaurant that we went to yesterday.  It absolutely described me. "Everybody deserves somebody who makes them LOOK forward to tomorrow."  I had been looking forward to this day for days.  So, of course our day, yesterday, prompted this post.

My two walking buddies, and I, took a road trip to celebrate Nancy Crow​'s birthday.  We planned this day for weeks.  There's nothing like "girl time" when we can be silly (especially with a selfie stick), talk about lots of things, go shopping, and eat lots of yummy food.  But, here's the glue that has bonded us together.  We each love God with all our hearts.  Most of our conversations are about the goodness of God, and if one of us veers off into any worry or concern, we tenderly rein each other back in with encouraging each other from promises in God's Word.  We love to celebrate, appreciate and inspire each other.  For a fact, I know that girl friends make us healthier, happier, less stressed, and I know we'll live longer because of each other.  Seriously, we ALL need friends.

These two gals inspire me so much.  In fact, many of my FB posts and blogs come from something they said in a casual moment.  These women make me stronger. I see them caring for others and in spite of some "stuff" in their own lives that are not perfect, their inner strength that comes from their relationship with God, causes them to rise and shine daily.

If today, you are lonely or tired of going it alone through life, go out and BE a friend.  Show yourself friendly.  Be an encourager.  Brighten someone's life with generosity.  Pray for a friend.  Pray God gives you true friendships -- and make sure that THE FRIEND who sticks closer than any brother is RIGHT in the middle of those relationships.

Just LOVE

Day 175 of Photo Inspirations -- JUST LOVE
My grandfather was an "Old Time Gospel" Baptist Preacher. He could preach "hail, fire and brimstone" with the best of them. And, my precious polar-opposite grandmother would temper his words by saying, "JUST LOVE".

God is LOVE!  The greatest example of that LOVE was Jesus Christ. The woman caught in the act of adultery -- He loved her to repentence; Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector -- He loved him to salvation; the Naughty Samaritan Woman at the well -- He loved her to her becoming an Evangelist; Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted thousands of Christians -- He loved him to becoming an Evangelist and the writer of 2/3's of the New Testament.

During the Vietnam War, Mother Teresa was asked, "Will you march with us in protest of the war?" She calmly replied, "No, but when you have a march for peace, I'll be there."   I love that.

It's a complete drain of energy to be against something -- but to be FOR something actually increases our enthusiasm and energy. Let's be FOR peace, harmony, justice and every good thing. We don’t try to get rid of the cold in our house; we simply turn on the heat. We can't fight the darkness that may fill a room; we just turn on the light.

How can we LOVE when there is so much wrong in the world?   Grace.  God treats us -- not with what we deserve,  but He treats us with loving-kindness and mercy.  GOD IS LOVE -- and that means He is good to those who deserve it as well as to those who don't deserve it. His love embraces saints AND sinners. Doesn't it make sense that our love for others should be marked by the same kindness and mercy that God has given us?

How can we possibly love those who are just plain evil? With the response that He had for Saul and Zaccheas and the thief on the cross. "WITH GOD, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.  In our own strength, it will be impossible, but in His strength and in His love, our hurts, fears and prejudices can be conquered.  Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the cruelty of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment.  His cross give us the courage to return evil with good.

We have a choice. To be a protester or a peacemaker; to be a hater or a lover; to be angry or joyful; to be a finger pointer or a forgiver.

"Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."  Romans 12:21
In the words of my sweet grandmother....."JUST LOVE!"

God With Us

Since a child, I always loved the sweet and tender atmosphere of Christmas. I’m still captivated by the beauty of all the faith, friends and family traditions we enjoyed -- precious times -- laughter, joy, and making lots of  memories.

But those times are past -- just momentary -- so what consolation and reassurance we have, in knowing that the incredible GIFT of the baby in the manger, is still here, RIGHT NOW, because He is Emmanuel, 'God With Us'!   For me, that means I am never alone, because God is with me. I sense Him in the peaceful times in my mornings, as I read His Word and in times of prayer…..but, even more so, I know He is with me even in the many activities and responsibilities of my day.

GOD WITH US -- not out of touch or out of reach and certainly not just a legend or myth.  He is GOD WITH US and He is LOVE.   Love breathing, love giving, love caring, love dying. Walking where we walk, knowing how we feel, knowing our pain, knowing our disappointments, bearing our sorrows.

GOD WITH US -- at work, during play, during mealtime, in the car, washing dishes, hurrying to work, relaxing on the sofa, at church, teaching our children, in good times and bad.  God with us.

I purpose to live my days knowing that God is with me, just like anyone that would be a passenger in my car, or a guest at my dinner table…..I talk to Him.   I talk to Him about any, and everything. I thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the really close parking space that we had yesterday at the mall, the “bargains” that we found.   I’ve found that, because I stay close to Him throughout my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I simply remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me.  I feel His peace right away, and I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – God is with me.  God is with you.  GOD WITH US.