As Valentine’s Day approaches, our minds and hearts wander towards thoughts of love. Understandably so. We all want to love and be loved. However, our hearts tend to seek love without first pursuing God’s love. So this Valentine’s seek God first. Then He will direct your heart to perfect love. His.
This picture was taken by my grandfather at the Hungry Horse Dam in Montana. I believe sometime in the 1950’s based on the age of the two children in the picture. Who are they? My dad and his sister.
“Forgiveness is the fragrance of the flower that clings to the heel that crushed it.” -Unknown
Wow! When my friend gave me this saying she had come across, I was a bit overwhelmed. This is loaded.
First of all, I go through the issues of knowing my pride does not want to forgive others. I also battle with the misuse of forgiveness as an excuse for sin (we change Romans 6:2). When I forgive someone it does not justify their sin. Forgiveness gives up the right to exact justice for the wrong.
As I look at the saying, I start at the end. A wrong can be like someone stepping on a flower – thus crushing it. Sin causes damage. The beauty of forgiveness is that even though the flower is crushed, it still has fragrance. A beautiful fragrance. That oil of fragrance will stay on “the heel that crushed it.”
Our sin nature will often struggle with the misuse of forgiveness – both on the giving and receiving end. However, God has given us the beautiful fragrance of Christ’s forgiveness as an example. Let’s share it appropriately with each other.
In southern Minnesota this past Monday we had 17 inches of heavy, wet snow. We can get a lot of snow, but this came down in a 10 hour period. Even for hardy Minnesotans, this was a bit much. The plows couldn’t keep up. While I was clearing the snow from my driveway, a memory from several years ago came back.
Those who have read my blog know how much I like “the little blessings” of life. I have been given many over the years.
This story was after a heavy snow. Not as much as this week, but enough to wear me out. It was a Wednesday afternoon and I had just gotten home from work. The plows had come through and I couldn’t get into my driveway. I parked in the street and prepared myself to start the heavy chore. I felt the pressure of getting it done quickly since I was in charge of the pre-school group at church that night. I started shoveling with all the energy I had. About halfway through (as I was getting tired), I saw a red pickup out of the corner of my eye. I knew a couple of people with red pickups and one was a man from church who lived not far from me. Sure enough, he was there with his snowblower. I was so relieved. The shoveling was done! He got his snowblower going and finished clearing the driveway. The job was completed in plenty of time for me to eat some supper and get to church on time.
How did he know I needed help? I’m glad you asked. On his way home from coaching basketball practice, he saw my struggle. He got home and told his wife that he had to go help. God chose to share my burden with someone.
I have cleared many inches of snow from my driveway in the 12 years I have been in my house. Much of it on my own, but many times with help. While I am willing to take on the responsibility that comes with home ownership, I am thrilled when there is help to get the job done.
God brings help and blessings in many different ways. This time He sent someone in a red pickup.
Praise the Lord for His help!
When you win an argument, what is the prize?
God’s way. Righteousness and kindness. When we seek His way, we will find it and more.
I once read, “If you learn to laugh at yourself you will have an endless source of amusement”. It works for me. I bet it would work for you, too.
Happy Laughing!
I was watching a Christmas movie that showed the power of joy. A woman who was considered unconventional smiled and shared joy with some rather stuffy people. Some of them seemed incapable of joy and others seemed to have stopped due to sorrow around them. The heroine of the story smiled, laughed and shared the joy that was spilling out despite her challenges. I enjoyed watching many characters respond to her cheer.
There is great power in joy. It is hard to stay gloomy in the presence of appropriate cheer. This is not to say that there will not be sorrow and tears. I have fought the pressure to always put on a happy face. I felt as though I could not be honest about the pain of life. God has brought me to a point of asking Him to help me deal with sorrow without throwing joy out the window. This is not easy; it is a part of life-long learning.
I pray no matter what God allows in your life that you share in the power of joy. May 2018 bring you closer to Him each day. His power gives strength to balance sorrow and joy.
God is so good!
This year God has been reminding me of the reason for Christmas.
Jesus Christ, who is Almighty God, came to earth to be born as a baby. He grew up for the purpose if suffering a horrible death.
Why? Because we sin. We make choices that have horrible consequences. Since we sin, we are unable to remove those consequences. Jesus lived a sinless life. Truth! He never did anything wrong. Therefore, He was able to pay the penalty for sin.
I pray if you have not learned Who Jesus Christ is, that you will this Christmas. He is worth your attention. Do not wait another moment.
At Christmastime, we don’t tend to go to the book of Romans. However, the concept of Jesus being a Wonderful Counselor is readily discussed because of Isaiah 9:6.
I fear that we do not want to accept the counsel of Jesus. His Word is not first in our lives. We go to those who give us feel good statements to help us through a tough time.
We need to go to the Savior who humbled Himself and became a helpless baby. He is the One who knows all and gives all good gifts. He owes us nothing, yet He gave us everything – His own life.
As we go into Christmas, let us together worship and praise the name of Jesus. If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, please do not wait. Do not waste another moment.
Jesus is worthy and He is worth it.
Praise His name!
I enjoy many things about Christmas: the decorations, music, family get-togethers. Christmas can produce many wonderful memories. However, none of those special times mean much without Jesus Christ being the center of our lives.
Christ is worthy of that central position. He bought us with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). Too often we rebel at the thought of being owned by God. Oh, friend, being owned by God, Who paid with His only Son’s life, is worth everything.
So this during Christmas season, don’t forget to keep Christ at the center of your celebration. He is worthy and He is worth it.
Pleading in Prayer 