I started writing this on Valentine's Day, but I got busy. So before you read this, jump in your time machine and set the date to February 14, 2012. Thanks! :)
Today (February 14, 2012), I was struck by the incredible amount of people out and about shopping for flowers, cards, and candy for their loved one. As much as I believe that Valentine's Day is a holiday blown out of proportion by corporations, I was touched at how may people wanted their significant other to feel special.
But then I got thinking... as sweet as flowers, cards, and candy are (and as much as women love it!), I thought of a much better way to show affection on Valentine's Day - one that will have a lasting effect.
What if we show genuine love and affection to each other?
What if instead of snapping at each other, you respond in love and patience?
What if instead of checking out a stranger walking by, you appreciate the beauty of your spouse - give your spouse your 100% undivided sexual attention?
What if instead of doing other things while your significant other tells you about their day, you drop what you are doing to really listen?
What if you offer to take something off their load instead of putting some of your load on them?
What if you made every effort to serve your mate and love them sacrificially?
What if... you attempted to love them as Christ loved us?
Of course we will all fail at these things, but we can try.
It's now February 28th. I'm sure your flowers have died, your candy has been eaten, and your card may have been thrown away already, but making the effort to love someone sacrificially and the benefits that come from this sacrificial love are lasting.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Fear
I am so sick of pop culture's influence of fear.
As I sit here eating lunch in the break room of my rotation, someone else in the break room turned on one of those crime-solving shows (CSI, maybe?).
During lunch, I like to relax and clear my mind of the busyness of the day in attempt to restore energy and positive thinking.
As I sat here enjoying my delicious leftovers of pesto pasta and Greek salad, my relaxation was interrupted with the graphic description of the rape that occurred on this tv show.
Seriously?! Is this relaxing to people?? How is this entertainment?! Instead of feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after lunch, I left feeling violated and unsettled.
As I sit here eating lunch in the break room of my rotation, someone else in the break room turned on one of those crime-solving shows (CSI, maybe?).
During lunch, I like to relax and clear my mind of the busyness of the day in attempt to restore energy and positive thinking.
As I sat here enjoying my delicious leftovers of pesto pasta and Greek salad, my relaxation was interrupted with the graphic description of the rape that occurred on this tv show.
Seriously?! Is this relaxing to people?? How is this entertainment?! Instead of feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after lunch, I left feeling violated and unsettled.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Inspiration from Nehemiah
I am awaiting a big decision, that I have no control over.
This weekend we attended our old church, North Way, while visiting in Pittsburgh. The message was about Nehemiah when he was clueless on how to go about handling the fallen wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah chapter describes how he wept before God, suggesting a posture of humility. He sat before God and was still. He prayed to God which involves both speaking and more importantly listening. And he discerned God's will through fasting.
A long time ago, I decided to take a few days off from work before I began my rotations again on Monday. But what I thought would be time spent relaxing and bumming around, will now be time spent praying, discerning and fasting. The timing couldn't be more providential, as the decision is most likely to be made at the end of this week. Since I am unable to fast food all together since I am hypoglycemic, I have decided to fast Facebook, as it serves as a distraction in my life. I will also be fasting sweets since I have been enjoying them waaaay too much lately and this sweets habit seems to be spiraling out of control.
Friends, if you are reading this, please join me in prayer.
This weekend we attended our old church, North Way, while visiting in Pittsburgh. The message was about Nehemiah when he was clueless on how to go about handling the fallen wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah chapter describes how he wept before God, suggesting a posture of humility. He sat before God and was still. He prayed to God which involves both speaking and more importantly listening. And he discerned God's will through fasting.
A long time ago, I decided to take a few days off from work before I began my rotations again on Monday. But what I thought would be time spent relaxing and bumming around, will now be time spent praying, discerning and fasting. The timing couldn't be more providential, as the decision is most likely to be made at the end of this week. Since I am unable to fast food all together since I am hypoglycemic, I have decided to fast Facebook, as it serves as a distraction in my life. I will also be fasting sweets since I have been enjoying them waaaay too much lately and this sweets habit seems to be spiraling out of control.
Friends, if you are reading this, please join me in prayer.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
All glory and praise
When I pray, I like to simply tell God who He is. And sometimes, He gives me a better understanding of what I am saying. Today He did that :)
Today I spoke that God is the author of creation. He alone is the author of creation. He alone deserves glory and praise.
So often we give away our praise too easily. We glorify our jobs, house, cars, earthly possessions and relationships. We idolize the fleeting things of this earth. We forget that God alone deserves ALL glory and praise; not just some of it.
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols." Isaiah 42:8
Today I spoke that God is the author of creation. He alone is the author of creation. He alone deserves glory and praise.
So often we give away our praise too easily. We glorify our jobs, house, cars, earthly possessions and relationships. We idolize the fleeting things of this earth. We forget that God alone deserves ALL glory and praise; not just some of it.
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols." Isaiah 42:8
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Enduring love
During worship, I try to think about what I am singing and meditate in the truth of the words I sing or make those words my prayer.
Today I was particularly struck by the words "forever His love endures."
Typically I think of the word "endure " as relating to physical activity. Endurance training... Enduring through a marathon race, etc.
Or I tend to think of enduring as it relates to our difficult circumstances. Enduring through a series of unfortunate events... Enduring through grieving the loss of a loved one, etc.
I was then hit with the reality of our expectation of endurance. It's fleeting. It's temporary. It lasts until the race is over or until our "luck" improves. But God's love for us endures forever!
What does forever mean? How long is God's love enduring?
God knew each one of us and loved us before time began; before he created the world and certainly before we were conceived.
...God loved us then.
God loves us just as we are, in this very moment. Despite our disobedience; despite our lack of faith; despite our rebellion; and despite our imperfect love.
...God loves us now.
God's kingdom has no end, so he will love us for all of eternity.
...God will love us always. Forever.
Now that is some incredible, enduring love!
Today I was particularly struck by the words "forever His love endures."
Typically I think of the word "endure " as relating to physical activity. Endurance training... Enduring through a marathon race, etc.
Or I tend to think of enduring as it relates to our difficult circumstances. Enduring through a series of unfortunate events... Enduring through grieving the loss of a loved one, etc.
I was then hit with the reality of our expectation of endurance. It's fleeting. It's temporary. It lasts until the race is over or until our "luck" improves. But God's love for us endures forever!
What does forever mean? How long is God's love enduring?
God knew each one of us and loved us before time began; before he created the world and certainly before we were conceived.
...God loved us then.
God loves us just as we are, in this very moment. Despite our disobedience; despite our lack of faith; despite our rebellion; and despite our imperfect love.
...God loves us now.
God's kingdom has no end, so he will love us for all of eternity.
...God will love us always. Forever.
Now that is some incredible, enduring love!
New Years resolutions
Lately I've been acquiring bad habits and for some reason, I have been taking bad news a little worse than usual. During a recent sermon, I was convicted of putting an end to some of these bad habits.
On January 2nd I wrote:
I will trade feelings of anxiety, tension, and nervousness for God's peace.
I will trade apathy for action.
I will trade confinement for freedom.
I will turn feelings of rejection from people for acceptance in Christ.
I will trade selfishness for service.
I will trade complaints for praise.
I will trade in the things the world tells me I need to be happy for time spent with Christ and the fullness of His love.
On January 2nd I wrote:
I will trade feelings of anxiety, tension, and nervousness for God's peace.
I will trade apathy for action.
I will trade confinement for freedom.
I will turn feelings of rejection from people for acceptance in Christ.
I will trade selfishness for service.
I will trade complaints for praise.
I will trade in the things the world tells me I need to be happy for time spent with Christ and the fullness of His love.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Gym time
I met a friend at the gym today for yoga. I had a wonderful time of relaxation during yoga and used the time to allow God's peace to penetrate my heart. Reluctantly, I stayed after for some cardio time. I begrudgingly mounted the elliptical, and promised myself I'd run for 10 minutes.
At first, my attention was caught by the tv that was positioned directly in front of me. Music videos with half dressed women and conceited pop stars played and soon I became frustrated.
Then, the man on the elliptical next to me had a visitor. As I listened to the two curse incessantly, I seriously toyed with the idea of pointing out to the men the "etiquette tip" that flashed on the screen about not cursing in the gym. I grew increasingly hot; and not from my work out.
I then made the conscious decision to overt my eyes from the tv, and overt my ears from the conversation.
And I began to pray.
Soon the 10 minutes I committed myself to were up, and for fear that my incredible prayer time would cease, I just wanted to keep running!
My ten minutes turned into a half hour. I went to the gym with the intention to tone and refresh my body, and ended up leaving with a refreshed spirit.
At first, my attention was caught by the tv that was positioned directly in front of me. Music videos with half dressed women and conceited pop stars played and soon I became frustrated.
Then, the man on the elliptical next to me had a visitor. As I listened to the two curse incessantly, I seriously toyed with the idea of pointing out to the men the "etiquette tip" that flashed on the screen about not cursing in the gym. I grew increasingly hot; and not from my work out.
I then made the conscious decision to overt my eyes from the tv, and overt my ears from the conversation.
And I began to pray.
Soon the 10 minutes I committed myself to were up, and for fear that my incredible prayer time would cease, I just wanted to keep running!
My ten minutes turned into a half hour. I went to the gym with the intention to tone and refresh my body, and ended up leaving with a refreshed spirit.
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