Just as I am...... Still?

How can this be?

What's going on inside of me?

My thoughts, My actions...

The love I once had...
Where did it go?

The dedication, the Drive..

I never felt I had to hide.

But,

Now my heart hurts.

My life burns before my eyes!

I'm tired... I'm worn...

The questions, the doubt,
it all floods my mind.

I cannot see the end this time.

You reached down for me once,

In the dirt,
                   muck,
                              and strife,

you restored my life.

Are you still there?

Do you still hear my prayer?

Am I one of the many... Who seem to be fooled?

Or am I one of the few who are equipped and tooled?

One who stays true,

Wholly devoted to you?
Unwavering, relentless in study,

Constant in prayer?

When I knock, will You open the Door?

Will I be allowed in?
Despite all that knocks me to the floor?

Will you still pick me up now that I've fallen again?
Where do I start? I know not where to begin..

I'm here now... Is that a start?
I wish to give you my heart!
May I walk with you?
Or sit here by your side?
My heart longs to be close, and I wish not to hide.

In my tears I can hear you speaking to me.
Come closer my child, My grace is sufficient for thee!
Trust Me now, come take my hand.
I wont let you go. In My strength.. You can stand!

A Patterned String

A Patterned String

Is it possible to have a life reflect a string of loving acts?

A life wholly devoted to never ending loving deeds?

What would someone look like who was so devoted?

It can be argued that people who are wholly devoted

to the Lord will reflect Him. So much so that all

those around can easily see that Christ is central to their life.

John 13: 34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: 

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another."(ESV)

In verse 35 the word "love" means

affection or benevolence; a love feast; feast of charity,

 brotherly love, affection, good will, benevolence

It is a word by definition, requiring action.

So let's clarify... One act of love is great!

It can mend a broken heart, give hope,

and make you feel pretty good.

But the type of love described here is a repeating love.

Our lives need to be a pattern of loving acts

done consistently all throughout our lives.

Would someone say you were a reflection of Christ

when you did only one act of love in your life?

Of course not!

Christ's life here on earth was a daily sacrifice, and giving

of Himself in love to all those around Him.

Daily, Consistently, Sacrificially, and Purposefully.

We must love like He loved.

If we don't, the reflection will be of ourselves.

Be a reflection of Christ, Love, daily.

So that all those around will see you are 

a Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let your actions be like the string of Bleeding Hearts above.

I truly believe, the Lord has given us a picture of His

Love in creation.

One act after another, stringing a life together so that all those 

around have no doubt who you reflect.

Let our hearts bleed love, over and over our whole life through!

A World of Love

A World of Love

Have you ever said the world needs more Love?

No matter which way we go in life,

we find trouble caused from selfish ambition

and absence of caring.

We have all heard the famous saying,

"Love is patient, Love is kind."

Some know not where it comes from.
Something that good could only come from God!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,

but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things. (ESV)

I would like to concentrate on one particular part.

"It does not insist on its own way"

I truly believe if we remove our selves,

we will love others more!

We will fight less, care more, and endure.

If we are truly honest with our selves,

we should see the source of most issues is selfish ambition.

We want something and we are not getting it.
Countries go to war because they want something
the other country has, or has taken away.

What would a personal issue look like if you
removed self issues from it?
Take a look at the root of the problem,
admit the issue with the other person,
ask for forgiveness, and then listen to each other..
Real change is rooted in understanding.

I know from personal experience that I get defensive
when someone tells me I am wrong.
I selfishly want to defend and justify, instead of listening.
In these cases, I need to set myself aside
and listen to the other person.
Which I admit, is very difficult at times.

I do believe if we set aside our selves, and open our ears,
we will find ourselves being more patient and kind.
We would be more concerned about the other person,
and we would take better care of them.
And lets face it...
If we ALL thought more about the other person,
we would ALL be taking better care of each other.

Our world would be centered on LOVE!

And who wouldn't love that?!