"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
I think this command may be the most difficult. Jesus said to love one another. Not such a big deal if he hadn't said the second part. As I have love you, so you must love one another. Therein lies the kicker.
In the study of John, I learned how Jesus loved his disciples, family, friends, enemies and strangers. I a m sure that I have not loved the way Jesus loved.
I picked up a copy of Becoming a Woman Who loves by Cynthia Heald this week at the bookstore. It practically jumped off the shelf into my hands. When I saw it, I knew it was just what I had been looking for to help move me toward loving like Jesus.
I remember those small statues with Love is... printed on them. Love is...never having to say your sorry, (a line in a movie with which I disagree). Love is wet puppy kisses, love is a warm chocolate chip cookie. All of these love is messages are sweet and evoke feelings of warmth, but they don't give instructions on how to love as Jesus loved. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians gave the people of Corinth some words about love that are helpful to me. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 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.
Using this book by Cynthia Heald, I will be studying love this summer.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Bible Study Blessings
Last fall I joined a Bible Study.. I didn't plan for it to change my life. I didn't even plan to go. However, God had different plans for me. My friends had encouraged me to join this bible study for 2 years. I put if off and put it off until finally I agreed to check it out, just once, after all, it was too far to drive and I didn't know many people. I went once and was hooked on the depth to the study. We were given 7 pages of notes to read and at least 30 different scriptures to study.
I was placed in a small group of women I did not know ranging from perhaps their late twenties to women my age--late forty in our minds we look like thirty!! I grumbled in my prayers to God about this situation. I wanted to make friends who lived near me and who were in my same stage of life. God is His infinitely gentle, kind manner let me know that in this Bible Study, I was going to learn about Him and His love in a way in which I never imagined. I was going to learn to know Jesus as a friend. I was going to learn about the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This bible study ended last week. God was, is, and always will be correct. I learned about His loving kindness, grace, and forgiveness. I learned to count on Jesus as a friend, just as he was a friend to the disciples. I learned of the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Of course, I learned much more and of course, I made some dear, dear, friends in my small group.
Now that the bible study session is over, I feel like the psalmist who wrote the verse below:
Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
I am searching for a study that I can work on at home. I welcome any suggestions.
I was placed in a small group of women I did not know ranging from perhaps their late twenties to women my age--late forty in our minds we look like thirty!! I grumbled in my prayers to God about this situation. I wanted to make friends who lived near me and who were in my same stage of life. God is His infinitely gentle, kind manner let me know that in this Bible Study, I was going to learn about Him and His love in a way in which I never imagined. I was going to learn to know Jesus as a friend. I was going to learn about the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This bible study ended last week. God was, is, and always will be correct. I learned about His loving kindness, grace, and forgiveness. I learned to count on Jesus as a friend, just as he was a friend to the disciples. I learned of the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Of course, I learned much more and of course, I made some dear, dear, friends in my small group.
Now that the bible study session is over, I feel like the psalmist who wrote the verse below:
Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
I am searching for a study that I can work on at home. I welcome any suggestions.
Graduations Everywhere!!!
We have been to Charleston to see our daughter Eliza Kate graduate from the College of Charleston and to celebrate Mother's Day. The weather was spectacular. Usually Charlestson is hot, humid and muggy. Not this weekend. We sat under the trees with spanish moss draping from them for the graduation ceremony and we were comfortable. On Mother's Day we walked around the Battery and needed a sweater. Pops commented that God delivered beautiful weather for our trip to Charleston. I agreed with him.
A week after Eliza's graduation, our daughter Emma Jane graduated from high school. It was touching to see so many kids we have know since K4 all grown and ready for their next step in life. We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents present for the party afterwards. I am thankful that our children have had the gift of grandparents who have been active and involved in their lives. Many, many family members and friends, and teachers helped us celebrate Emma Jane's accomplishments.
Someone asked if I was sad because of the graduations. I had to respond that this was one of the happiest weeks of my life. My daughters are healthy and happy and have plans for a bright future. They are loving and loved. Pops and I look forward to visiting them as they enter the next stage--nursing school for Eliza, and Furman for Emma.
Our youngest daughter Elle is still at home. She is driving herself to school and kind of excited to be the only child at home. We will have a action filled summer with all three girls. Fall should be busy with Elle participating in colorguard and swim team.
Happy Happy May
A week after Eliza's graduation, our daughter Emma Jane graduated from high school. It was touching to see so many kids we have know since K4 all grown and ready for their next step in life. We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents present for the party afterwards. I am thankful that our children have had the gift of grandparents who have been active and involved in their lives. Many, many family members and friends, and teachers helped us celebrate Emma Jane's accomplishments.
Someone asked if I was sad because of the graduations. I had to respond that this was one of the happiest weeks of my life. My daughters are healthy and happy and have plans for a bright future. They are loving and loved. Pops and I look forward to visiting them as they enter the next stage--nursing school for Eliza, and Furman for Emma.
Our youngest daughter Elle is still at home. She is driving herself to school and kind of excited to be the only child at home. We will have a action filled summer with all three girls. Fall should be busy with Elle participating in colorguard and swim team.
Happy Happy May
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
WWJD
Does anyone remember those bracelets that had WWJD printed on them? WWJD stood for what would Jesus do and the acronym was supposed to remind those wearing the bracelet to ask the question when faced with a decision. I have started to ask myself another question with the acronym HWJL. How would Jesus love? Everything Jesus did was in love, so if I am to emulate Him, I need to learn to love like he loved. Jesus gave another commandment in John 13:34 when he told the disciples: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you us love one another.
The command love one another might not be so difficult. But then Jesus says "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This is where it gets tough. Jesus raised the bar on love.
Paul must have known that people have trouble loving like Jesus loved. He gave attributes of love in his letters to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 he writes:
"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 records of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for Paul and his letter to the Corinthians. Guide me into patience and kindness. Let me be content with the many blessings I have received. Keep me grounded in Your word. Focus my heart and energies on Your will, not mine. Loosen the grip I have on the wrongs against me. Make me a seeker of truth. Please forgive me when I fail. Pick me up and set me back on the right path when I stumble and fall. Thank you for the hope and power of Your love. It is in the name of Your son Jesus Christ that I ask these things. Amen.
The command love one another might not be so difficult. But then Jesus says "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This is where it gets tough. Jesus raised the bar on love.
Paul must have known that people have trouble loving like Jesus loved. He gave attributes of love in his letters to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 he writes:
"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 records of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for Paul and his letter to the Corinthians. Guide me into patience and kindness. Let me be content with the many blessings I have received. Keep me grounded in Your word. Focus my heart and energies on Your will, not mine. Loosen the grip I have on the wrongs against me. Make me a seeker of truth. Please forgive me when I fail. Pick me up and set me back on the right path when I stumble and fall. Thank you for the hope and power of Your love. It is in the name of Your son Jesus Christ that I ask these things. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
