No Greater Love

"How much do you love me?" asked a little voice one day.

"Well," I said in reply, "A lot."

"How much is a-lot?"

Ever asked our Heavenly Father that?

"How much do you love me?"

There are times when I'm at church, worshipping in song, or listening to the powerful words in the Pastor's sermon that I find myself hit with the reminder of just how much our Heavenly Father loves me.

"For God so loved the world....."

And, then there are the other times. Maybe it's a day when I wake up and haven't received any emails, or my spouse and I get off on the wrong foot that day; maybe the dog ate my favorite shoes, again, or I just wake up questioning-"How much do you love me, Lord?"

"....that He gave His only begotten Son....."

It's impossible to measure up to the love that our Heavenly Father shows for us. There are many who walk among us that don't really know how much our Heavenly Father loves them nor do they understand how much they truly mean to Him.


It could be that in the midst of a "bad day" one forgets just how special they are to God and His unconditional love for them is the farthest thing from their minds.

".....that whoever believes in Him....."

The love our Father has to offer goes beyond our saying the right things, wearing the right types of clothes, belonging to the right cliques, or trying to live up to the standards of others. God loves us unconditionally; no strings attached. His love is free. His love is sacrificial. And, His love is eternal. His love is not based on the things I do or don't do.God's heart desires that we love Him as deeply and unconditionally as He loves us.

"......should not perish but have everlasting life."

As we walk through this life, you and I are not alone nor are we unloved. Circumstances would have us, at times, trying to convince ourselves that God doesn't love us. Evidenced by God's sacrificial offering for His children, we can rest assured that His love is real and of great worth.

I told my youngest one, "I love you THIS MUCH" and gave them a big hug, all the while thinking how much our Heavenly Father does them same when we are having "one of those days" of not thinking that we are cared for or noticed.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16, New King James Version

A Valentine that lasts a lifetime is God's love for you and me. It's literally the gift that not only keeps giving, but calls out to be shared and passed on to others so that they too can know, without a doubt, they are loved for an eternity by their heavenly Father.


Just as God the Father's love is for His children, so should our love be for our own children- full of compassion and understanding, not based on anything they do or say, but unconditionally and freely given.

God's love is great and when we ask Him,"Do you love me?", He always says yes and opens His arms wide showing us exactly how much He has and will always love us.

You can drop by and visit Twinkle Mom at her blog, Sunflower Faith or catch her floating around Twitter.

Christmas in Februrary

My day was all planned.

I got up as usual, drove my daughter to school, and rushed back home to shower and get ready, just in time to head back to school for a special event for my daughter's class.

If I had gone to bed earlier the night before, I would have been up early to shower and get ready before the drive to school. Instead, I was wearing old, stretchy pants, half-brushed hair, and a full-up grumpy disposition.

Without any coffee.

After the special class event, I was off to the craft store to purchase a few things for an unfinished project, then to the grocery store for milk, cat food, staple items and lots of Diet Coke to keep me going.


I put the milk in the refrigerator just in time to sit down for a bite of lunch, look over my Bible study, and then regroup and recharge myself to drive to the Bible study discussion.


Minutes after our study time was over, I drove (again) to school to pick up my daughter, head home and literally collapse.


But before I kicked off my shoes and crashed on the couch, I took a walk to the mailbox. In a stack of letters, I found a "Special Message From Our Sponsored Child."


I wonder if she will ever know how much I look forward to her letters.


The letter was written at Christmas. Due to the time delay in translation and mailing, I received it in February.


It was right on time.


The letter was filled with questions. A small drawing decorated the bottom. A photo of a children's Christmas party filled the top.


In a translated message, a little Haitian girl shared her heart. She said she will not stop praying for me and my family (for me and my family?) She thanked us for our letters. She thanked us for the Christmas gift.


Through the sponsorship ministry, we were given the opportunity to give a small, extra donation towards a Christmas gift for our sponsored child. We were thrilled. Every child deserves something special at Christmas.


I can remember receiving Christmas or birthday money as a child. Mama said not to "let it burn a hole in my pocket." She and Daddy encouraged me to save it or, at the very least, think carefully about how I spent it. Like most kids, I spent it on candy or a toy that was quickly forgotten.


As I read the letter, I learned just what our little sponsored child bought with her money.


She bought a goat.


Wrap your mind around that, if you can.


Tears began to stream down my face as I continued to read. I heard the joy in this little girl's voice. I know that the ministry gave this little girl a personal gift as well, but the image of a child buying a goat for her family with her Christmas money. No. Words. Describe.


I read the letter over and over as the tears fell. I looked closely at the faces of the children in the photo. All of their eyes were bright, full of hope, of wonder. I could almost hear the laughter.


Valentine's Day was just over a week away. Store shelves were stocked with heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate, plush animals of pinks and reds, endearing gifts, all carefully designed expressions of love.


On a day in February, I received a Christmas letter. Christmas- the ultimate expression of Love.


On an ordinary, crazy day I was humbled by a little girl in a place I cannot imagine.


I am grieved for her struggles. I am overwhelmed with sadness and with joy. I am puzzled by the remarkable workings of God. I am grateful to trust and know a God Who loves this little girl with perfect love.


I am struck with the mystery that the God Who loves these precious ones also loves me. He loves this sinful, prideful, incomplete person who falls short each and every day.


He loves us. He loves us enough to send a Saviour in a manager, even when we forget months later as stored shelves are emptied of the reminders.

I don't know what you are wishing for this Christmas. Healing in a marriage? A job? Help with the mortgage payment? Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? The empty nest of a child gone to college?

Let this be your Christmas letter. Let it be right on time.


Dear one, He loves you.


He loves us enough to give us the desires of our hearts. Letters with smiling faces, drawings from tiny hands, candy-filled boxes, pink bears and red roses.


And goats. Yes, even goats.


"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."
1 John 4: 9-10




Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."

"Lord, please change my heart!"

"I don't know if I love my husband anymore." "Being a mom is too hard." "I don't like the fact that I am aging."

"Lord, please change my heart!"

"The Christian walk is too hard." "I'm tired of struggling." "It feels like I've lost my desire to serve."

"Lord, please change my heart!"


"I don't really have the desire to read my Bible regularly." "I don't feel like praying anymore." "I think I'll sleep in this Sunday...."

"Lord, please change my heart!"


These are all thoughts I have had or that have been shared by others. What do you say to someone who is struggling in one of these areas? What is the answer? God has been gently opening my eyes to the fact that I am powerless to change my own heart. He has to do it for me. I cannot "will" myself to change any of these things or "muster up" something from within myself and make it better. It has to be a work that God does in my heart.
As I have been learning this I have felt such a sense of freedom wash over me! Now when I become aware of an attitude or thought that is not what it should be my prayer is simple, "Lord, please change my heart." That's it.

I am His precious child. I picture myself holding up my heart to him and saying, "...please fix it!" And He begins the beautiful process of changing my heart!

I am so thankful that God has been showing me this because it has begun to make such a difference. Praying this way is producing things in me that I never imagined!

Attitudes and mindsets that I have wrestled with for years are changing because of one simple prayer and a merciful, loving, grace filled God that delights to change his child's heart and bring it more into conformity to His own heart.


I have a long way to go...but I find hope and comfort in the fact that all I have to do is ask and He will change me.

The best part is that as my heart is changing and I am more aware of the fact that it is nothing that I could have done, I then give Him all the credit...and He gets the glory...and that's really why we are here anyway.

To glorify Him!

"Lord....please show us the areas in our lives where we are in error and not thinking Biblically. Please place within our hearts the desire to want to be changed, and then...PLEASE change our hearts...that we might glorify YOU!"

(Gina has begun writing again after taking a few months off. She has some fresh, new perspective after going through some very dark times. She would love it if you stopped by for a chat and some coffee! You can find her at her personal blog: Chats With An Old Lady.)

7 Abominations

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

~ Proverbs 6:16-19

‘Mom, look at that lady!’, my daughter smugly exclaimed, ‘she’s smoking a cigarette!’. The statement pierced my heart as I saw the ‘face of unsure’ upon the woman’s countenance. I know she heard my child’s blatant expression of disapproval. The LORD quickened my spirit, as well as my tongue. I herded the children into the vehicle and turned and smiled apologetically at the woman. I then explained to my daughter that our LORD deeply loves this woman created in His image - just as He loves us - even while a cigarette hangs from the woman’s lips.


‘Do you remember the seven abominations that our LORD hates?’, I asked my daughter who had recently memorized that particular verse due to abomination number two. ‘Smoking is not one of them....but a proud look is’, I said.


After this incident, I realized that my sweet daughter’s childish retort is not far removed from many in our congregations today. I asked our Heavenly Father if this is what He sees in His children more often than not. The legalistic religious crowd had Scripture memorized, too, but their lives were void of The Spirit of Love. Therefore, their lives turned away and condemned many from the very God of Love they professed to follow.


Sweet Daughters of The Most High, do any one of these seven abominations rule your life? Only one abomination is needed to begin our walk away from our Redeemer and LORD.


What do your face, your tongue, your hands, your heart, your feet, your witness and your actions reveal about your standing before our Great Judge? Peter reminds us that judgement begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). I find it so amazing that Peter goes on (2 Peter 1:5-11) to reveal in The Spirit SEVEN Godly attributes that we are to ADD to our faith:

‘...with all diligence, add to your faith, virtue (goodness), to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly-kindness, and to brotherly-kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.’

May we add these to our faith today and may we each remember those things our LORD delights in - “lovingkindness, judgement & righteousness in the land, in these things I delight,” says The LORD (Jer. 9:22-23).

There is abundant grace and hope available for the smoker and the proud alike. Blessed be The Name of ADONAI forever!

I'd love your company at Women of the WORD!

Love Never Leaves

When I first became a parent, I had no idea I would learn so much about God from my children. I thought I would be there to guide them into His heart. Little did I know that it would be they, who guided, me.


As they have grown over the years, so have I. My husband and I started out with behavior modification parenting. It was common to hear those around us talk of “breaking the will of the child”. Breaking the will seemed to be an accomplishment that would bring obedience. We set out to make that happen. I shudder even now as I think about it.


The sad reality is, we believed God was the same way. That is until He summoned us to enter into true, authentic relationship. In that place love is the motivating factor, not behavior modification.


I discovered something. God wasn’t after my will. He was after my heart. Obedience wasn’t the most important thing to Him, love was.


It was in that place I began to learn something new. God will never be disappointed with me. His heart aches to hold me close. In sin I separate myself from Him. He exposes it in order to bring me back into His embrace.



For He knows that my perception of what He thinks of me changes when I am captured by sin.



There is never guilt, condemnation or accusation. There is only, always, love, mercy and grace. He reveals to return me to where I was meant to be. My sin is not His focus. I am. He didn't come to make me perfect. He came to give me life. Sin destroys life.


When I entered the world of motherhood, I thought I would bring my babies into the world and love them. It all sounded so simplistic. Yet, it wasn’t. There were times when a child would stray off the path and look in other directions. Choices that cost them were made. I ached as I watched. I prayed, I waited to welcome them back in. All I wanted was to love them. Didn’t they know that? They judged my heart by the way they felt about themselves.


He thought He would bring me into this world and love me. I have often taken wrong turns. I’ve gotten off the beaten path. I looked for love in all the wrong places. Yet, He doesn’t see me covered in my sin. He sees me in a robe of righteousness. He does not separate from me when I choose to return to sin. He is not angered or even disappointed with me. His response is always the same. He pursues me to come back home.


Like the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son, He runs to meet me when I return to be held. For just as I could never turn away from my children because of my unending love, He cannot turn from me. His heart is filled with a love that cannot be measured or challenged. It is from everlasting to everlasting, not based on conditions or behavior.


He knew I would be imperfect. He knew that the lures of this world would pull me in. For when He created the earth, He knew my sins, past, present and future. He couldn’t bear for me to separate myself from Him. He devised a plan. It was His plan of rescue.


The cross has been misunderstood. It’s not about sin. It’s about love. Jesus’ blood was spilled to annihilate that which separated us from entering in as sons and daughters. Because of love He paid the ransom note to bring us back into the embrace of God. He came to restore us to life, to the full. It was the life He always meant for us before sin entered into mankind. Love was the motivating factor of the cross. His love for you.


There has never been a time when I did not love my children. There is absolutely nothing that they could do that would change that. I see beyond the choices they make. I love.


There will never be condemnation or disappointment with God. There is always and only love. Love welcomes you back. With arms wide open, it runs out to meet you, to restore you to where you were meant to be, in the arms of God.



Sin is not His focus. You are.

You can find Julie at her blog: Jewelz Sightings

Ever in a Funk?

The Cafe welcomes Guest Barista, Laurel today!

I was in such a funk last week.

I asked some of my friends if they had a plan of action as to how to get out of a funk; tricks they might use in their own lives. It’s a tough one, isn’t it? These emotions are so strong – and we aren’t trained in this culture, or even encouraged, NOT to rely on our emotions.

Philippians 4:8
Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.

We all know this scripture, we’ve read it hundreds of times. But how do we apply it to our lives and everyday?

We have to take a leap of faith and move further, from just knowing it, to living it! I must say that I have been held prisoner by negative thoughts in the past. I have allowed them to overwhelm me at times.

I want out.

I want light where there has been darkness. These negative thoughts drain the energy and vitality out of your life faster than the blink of an eye. With His help, we can claim victory over destructive thoughts, negative emotions and attitudes. We can do all things through Him right?!


The Israelites must have felt that God had abandoned them. We know from scripture (Exodus 2:24-25; 3:7-10) that He did not forget them. We have to dive into scripture, memorize scripture, etch it upon our hearts and minds so that we can claim these truths and promises when we start feeling those prison bars surrounding us again! Think on what is rock-solid, that is God’s Word! His word, His truths, have to come above what we feel! We can not allow our thoughts and feelings to come above the Word of God.


When we start seeing ourselves through God’s eyes, we remember that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14) no matter what others think about us. We remember that He has a mighty plan and purpose for us, no matter what season we’re in or what things look like today (2 Tim. 1:9). He has given us spiritual gifts that we can use to benefit others, no matter how we may be failing in this moment (1 Cor. 12:7-11). We can not forget that we are ALWAYS loved and accepted by God, no matter who rejects us here on earth (Romans 8:J35).


When we leave behind our emotions and feelings, we can really move into what God has for us. We can move from despair and depression, into hope and encouragement; from heart ache and rejection, into enablement and renewed energy – all because God’s Word is in our hearts and we can claim His promises!


I can’t tell you how encouraging this is to me. Whewy, this gives me so much freedom! THIS is how I can get out of my funk. THIS is how I can seek what He has for me – move past my emotions and feelings and into HIM.

WOW…

Prayer:

Thank you for this timely revelation Jesus. Thank you that you KNOW my heart’s desires and fears and You hear my prayers, even before I utter them. Thank you for seeing me as the beautiful daughter You created me to be, and for giving me glimpses of that same woman after Your very heart so that I can have hope in my everyday. Continue to mold and transform this heart. In Your Holy name, AMEN


With love,

Laurel

Laurel lives in Canada, Boonsville to be precise! She is currently 2 hours from the nearest anything. Married to her handsome husband of 13 years, they have 2 princes, aged 10 and 12; and 1 princess, age 5. They are in our 6th year of homeschool which we lovingly call "Little House on the Halfway" since they reside on the Halfway River.

Admonish one another in peace, joy and hope

"Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another." Romans 15:14

We believers have the solid hope on the Messiah' return. He is the solid Rock on which we stand. The fullness of joy and peace comes through believing that He is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him alone.

Our continual belief toward and in Him fills us with peace - for He is our answer to all things pertaining to this life and the life to come.

Do you want joy and peace in this life? Then get your eyes off your circumstances and back on His promises found throughout His written word!

This very simple admonition reminds me of the chorus to a well known hymn; "Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face and the things on earth will go strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

What kind of fruit will our seeking Him in joy and peace produce? Hope that continually overflows! (Romans 8:24-25)

This biblical hope has nothing to do with earthly ends such as retirement funds, always perfect circumstances or material gain but rather, that we will reign with the Messiah always! This becomes our hope beyond the grave too!

Our key verse in Romans 15:14 deals with admonishing one another so the we are "full of goodness and filled with knowledge." Often times, we see the work of admonishing in the light of confrontation of sin. But, in this case - we admonish each other as a reminder of what we already have in Christ Jesus!

Admonishing one another takes on a very loving aspect that produces in the hearer a peace, joy and hope:

It is parental. (1 Corinthians 4:14-16 and Ephesians 6:4)

It is historical. (1 Corinthians 10:11)

It is spiritual. (Colossians 1:28)

It is confrontational (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:14 and Titus 3:10)

The whole goal of admonishing one another should always be motivated by the desire to see the hearer have peace, joy and hope!

We though, can be very opinionated and not very loving either! Sometimes, we introduce traditions into our admonishing one another instead of focusing on the goal of seeing our Lord's sweet face one day!

I had always been raised in a very conservative home where only old hymns were sung. But, as I grew older and wiser in the Lord and His word, I came to realize the peace, joy and hope I had in Christ had nothing to do with the style of music sang but rather - the overflow of our Lord's promises established in my heart!

Imagine this mind set in the light of Romans 15:13-14. People sometimes build there ministry objectives on vain man made traditions versus the building up of one's peace, joy and hop

e built upon God's spiritual admonishments!

Close and Personal:

1. Have we had to admonish someone but decided not too because you thought it was not your "calling?"

2. Are we being motivated to admonish one another in order to produce guilt or to produce joy, peace and hope?

"My dear Heavenly Father, I just want to thank you for your love and kindness to us your children! You never cease to amaze me at the longsuffering you have had towards me your daughter! Dear Lord will you give us a love for the brethren and even those that are different than us and may we keep you in the forefront of our lives! We love you Lord and I can't wait to see you! In the name of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen."

In Him,

In Him,

Needing a Change?

From a distance ADONAI appeared to me, [saying,] "I love you with an everlasting love; this is why in My grace I draw you to Me. ~ Jeremiah 31:3

When my daughter Kierstyn was still in diapers just a few short years ago, she had a most peculiar way of letting me know she had taken care of her business.

She was in the habit of pushing me away from her every time she had ‘gone potty’ - that would be No. 2! Moms, you know the look and you are familiar with ‘all things poopy’, I am sure. (You might be interested to know that I had to add 'poopy' to my spell check.)

Now, I always knew when she was going to take care of this smelly business because she would find a quiet place...usually behind a door. When I would find her, she would say as best she could,' No, mommy...I don't need you, I have poopy!'.

And I would patiently hold out my arms to her. All the while she would wave her hands back and forth, avoiding eye contact and repeat, 'No, mommy...I don't need you, I have poopy!'

There I would remain with open arms - still confident that my patience would eventually pay off in the form of hugs.

This would play on three, four, sometimes five times.

'Kierstyn, Mommy loves you! EVEN when you have a poopy!’, I would reassure her with an affectionate smile.

Eventually, she would give in and hug me. Though a little reserved, she would embrace me and look at me with those big, brown eyes knowing that despite the fact that she was undeniably stinky, her Mommy remained PASSIONATELY IN LOVE WITH HER PAST ALL THE 'POOPY' she found herself in.

Embracing me, though not as tightly as I would like - but satisfied with her little body pressed against mine nonetheless - I would tell her, “Now, let's go change your diaper and make you smell pretty and feel better!”

Having accepted my love, she now finally accepts my offer...happily. And she is ready for a change.

Today, try to see yourself as Kierstyn. Perhaps you already do! When we see ourselves in His light, we are prompted to praise our Heavenly Father because of His steadfast and immeasurable love for us.

"Here is what love is:not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the kapparah [atonement, pardon] for our sins."~ 1 John 4:10

This ‘Set-Apart ABOVE Love’ changes us when we ACCEPT it. And then our Father says, ‘Child, now love others with this love I have given you - past their performances - good, bad or indifferent. Just LOVE as I AM.’

Now, that is Heavenly and life-changing!

ABBA, open our eyes to accept this love You freely give! Give us holy vision, impart to us an understanding that will change every aspect of our lives. And be Magnified in our homes, our fellowships and in this age. Make Your Love flow from the inside out into mighty streams of Living Waters for others to drink freely from, in Yeshua’s Life-Giving Name.

Carmen would love the pleasure of your company at Women Of the Word!

The Secret To Happiness: A Worksheet

"There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do."

- Freya Stark

I wanted to do this devotional a little differently. It may be because I'm a teacher, or maybe because I believe in the power of the written word, but I love the act of physically writing down my thoughts and response to questions. Therefore, in relation to the above quote, I wanted to make this an interactive process. First, I'd like for you to respond to the following questions:

Name (at least) 3 things that you believe to be true about Jesus Christ's requirements on those who come to believe in Him:

1.

2.

3.

Now, I want you to research 3 scriptures to support those requirements put on us by Christ.

1.

2.

3.

Here is what I came up with.

First, Christ expects us to believe in Him to receive eternal life. John 3:16 tells us that! ("For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.")

Secondly, He expects us to tell others about Him and His truth; "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded of you." - Matthew 28:19-20.

Third, He expects us to love one another; "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you show that you love one another." - John 13:34-35.

Then for good measure, let me also note that we are to serve one another in that love; "If then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one anothers' feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them." - John 13:14-17.

So let's recap: Christ expects us to: (and these are just a *few* examples)

• 
  
  Believe in Him


• 
  
  Tell others about Him


• 
  
  Love others as He loved us


• 
  
  Serve each other as He was a servant to and for us

What are some ways that you are living out these beliefs?

Think back on times when you were living out (or maybe you are now!) these beliefs. How did it make you feel?

I know when I am living out these expectations set forth by our Lord and Saviour, that I feel great! Not in a prideful, accomplished kind of way, but in a way that makes me feel close to God, because I am being obedient to the Lord. The Word through and through teach us that we are happiest in our spirits when we are obeying the Lord and walking with Him in a real, personal and "hands on" kind of way. In fact, hell is often described as being apart from the Lord when we aren't obeying His expectations and will for our lives.

It is my prayer that each of you will seek out truths about what He has designed to make us happy, and then "do" those truths. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, reach out to the hurting, love the unloveables. Those moments when you are really connecting with those around you as He connected with those around Him, are the times when you will feel the most at peace within yourself, and with Him. True happiness comes from living our beliefs - what do you believe in?

Let's pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for providing a way for us to be truly happy. Thank You for providing us with access to Your Word so that we can learn about what pleases You, so that we can walk in a real and personal way with You, bringing peace and joy into our lives on a real and tangible level. Thank You Lord for being accessible to us, by showing us how to live a peaceful, productive and service-driven life. May we always seek Your will for our lives, so that You can show us true happiness. It is in Your name that we pray, Amen.

Allison is the owner of Simple Christian Living. Feel free to visit her blog also and leave a comment to encourage and support her!

UNconditional Love

Please Welcome Guest Barista, Mary Hess, to the Cafe!

Lamentations 3:22-24 – The Message

“God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.”

I'm tired - worn out actually. This has been a crazy week. You know the kind - busy from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning until you lay your head down late, late, late at night. You can't even rest well because your mind is still active while you sleep. So those crazy dreams come. Yeah - the mixed up ones that make no sense. You think "If only this week were finally over, I could calm down and rest."

Busy.

Have I opened my Bible this week to read? Nope.

Have I spent any quality time with God this week? Nope.

And my mind says, "Whoa Mary! You are not doing well on the 'Great Christian Scale' this week. God is probably not very happy with you right now. Don't even think about trying to get Him to show up and help you with that problem. You haven't shown up for Him."

But if there’s one thing I know is true it is this: God Loves Me! He LOVES me! And His love for me isn't conditional.

Now, don't get me wrong. I need to pray. I need to read my Word. Those things help me with my Christian walk. Should I do it every day? Well, I can't say that there is a strict rule for it anywhere. But I will tell you this: When I go a few days and don't communicate with my husband, it sure makes for some strained times. If I don't communicate, how will he (Shannon) know my thoughts, my feelings, my problems, etc? How can we grow in our relationship if there is no intimate, bonding time? So yes, it's extremely important. And we should want to spend time like that with God.

What I'm talking about though is getting the concept, grasping the reality, that God loves us as much today as He did yesterday and as He will 50 years from now. His love for us never changes.

And when we miss a day of intimate time, it’s wonderful to know that every day we get a new chance to start fresh. The Bible tells us that God's mercies are new EVERY morning and His faithfulness is great toward us. Isn't that just awesome?! Even when I'm at my lowest and sometimes honestly don't make the effort to 'do this thing' God still loves me and wants me to succeed.

So I challenge you this week to ask Him to help you understand His unconditional love for you. If, like me, you have a hard time believing it, just tell Him. I can assure you it won't take Him by surprise.

Father, so many times I find myself just wanting to ‘get it right’ instead of just being with You. Thank You for understanding me even when I can’t understand myself. I know You love me unconditionally. Please help me to believe it. Thank You for being so faithful to me. Help me to stir up the passion inside of me that will cause me to look for You every day. I want to be with You. Amen.

In Him,

Mary Hess

Mary can be reached at: www.maryhess.com or maryhess2003@gmail.com

The Laws of Love

I am a teacher and therefore, a rule creator.

• Do not talk during the lesson.
• Don't write on the desks or anything other than paper, for that matter.
• Don't text during class and actually, it's better not to bring your cell phone to class at all.
• Be on time.
• Follow directions.
• No food or drinks in class.
• Don't EVER, EVER put gum under your desk!
• And the list goes on and on.

Rules, and laws and expectations are all very good tools to give us direction in our lives and to show us the way to live, but they lack the power to change hearts. If I follow all the rules, but have not love, I miss the mark.

But, I like rules. I like to make rules for myself, rules to govern our behavior at home and rules about what to eat and how much TV to watch and when to exercise. Inevitably this leads to disappointment since I can't possibly keep all the rules...not the ones God created and not even the ones I made up.

Jesus said that all the laws could be summarized as LOVE: love for God and love for the people in our lives.

If I know that (and I do!), then why is it so easy to fall into patterns of living by laws instead of by love? At the end of my life, I won't be judged by how clean my house was or how many ministry events I coordinated or how organized my school binders were, but by how I loved.

And when I dig deeper into the reason rules appeal to me more than this nebulous idea of living by love, I realize my problem is selfishness. Following the rules is sometimes easier to do because it serves my self interest of looking like a good person who has it all together. Love is messier and it requires me to die to my interests and put someone else's interests first.

The law of love demands that I stop thinking about what I want to do and how I want to appear, because all of my attention is on someone else and their needs. It shames me to realize how many of my prayers are about my self-improvement projects and how few are about the concerns of others. This self-centered attitude runs deep and I will not get rid of it by following some new set of rules, but only by taking the time and effort to give my love to another.

All of my laws about life will not make me a better person, but if I focused on someone else for a little while, that just might be life changing.

Something to think about:
*What is one practical way you can show love to someone this week?

*As you come to God in prayer today, who might He be asking you to pray for?

I am so NOT Qualified

Let me think out loud for a minute.

I am defined by who I am and what I do. That IS how the world sees me.

The world tries to "qualify me" through what it sees I am "qualified" to do. The funny thing is that the list of things that I am unqualified to do is far longer than the " what I'm qualified to do" list.

I am not brilliant, (even my kids have figured that out), I am not a theologian or hold a P.H.D. I will likely not ever qualify for a Nobel Prize being that I don't have a "field."

I am, by the world's standards, not all that qualified.

BUT.....the beautiful news is that my God makes it HIS practice to not "CALL the qualified, but rather QUALIFY those HE calls."

That is really, really good news for a gal like me. A gal who has been known to be all the things HE is not. I have been CALLED, and all I have to do is allow HIM to qualify me.

I have been called to be a servant.

I have been called to be approachable.

I have been called to be full of grace.

I have been called to be peaceful.

I have been called to humility.

I have been called to be forgiving.

I have been called to be understanding.

I have been called to serve.

Let me be clear, on my own I am NOT qualified. On my own, I'm a mess. Just the other day I forgot my own debit card PIN number. I'm a broken daughter, and the funny thing is, THAT is exactly what HE is looking for. My willing heart is what HE is looking for, along with a submissive spirit and a servant's attitude. He promises me that He'll take care of the rest.

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12

I admit it. I often am focused on how "unqualified" I am that I miss the "call." Perhaps it's the
fact that I'm genetically predisposed to being a woman, I don't know, but I know I miss it and it has nothing to do with Him.

The way it stands, we are ALL QUALIFIED. Each of us was created with those set of "qualifications" that make us unique and purposed by God. That's it, HE qualifies you.

The world does tend to send us the opposite message.



The fact is that YOU and I are qualified and we are called. All HE asks is that we LISTEN to what HE is calling us into. For each of us that will be something different. Take some time, truly listen to what HE is calling YOU to do. You likely will find yourself as I often do, tilting my head and saying, "HUH GOD." It's in that we TRUST that if HE calls, HE qualifies. You and I have been so called to do amazing things, beyond our wildest imaginations, if only we'll surrender and release HIM to qualify us.

Ponder This:

Do you EVER feel unqualified?

Do you share those intimate feelings with God?

How can you see God "calling" you the way He can "call" no other?

Prayer for today:

Father God,
I am unqualified. I know it. I know that alone, I will fail and fall and remain unqualified. I ALSO know that with your mercy and grace, I can do unimaginable things for your Kingdom. Help me to hear your voice calling my name. Help me Father, to not allow the world's standards of qualifications trample my spirit. Your Spirit lives in me and in You, I can do all things. Remind me that I am "worthy of Your calling, and that by Your power You may fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith."

In Jesus' name,
Amen


If you still don't believe that God calls the UNQUALIFIED, take a look at this. He's never been in the business of only choosing the "QUALIFIED" people. Why would HE start now? I think I'll get in line, because in Him, I am QUALIFIED.

Join Lori daily at her personal blogspot, where she is happy to get in line with the UNQUALIFIED and allow God to show her just how QUALIFIED she is in Him.

Not Forgotten, Not Abandoned

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15).

The New Testament city of Ephesus was immersed in the Greco-Roman tradition of the pursuit of beauty and perfection in every sense: art, architecture, music, and even regarding the human race.

In fact, Greeks and Romans regularly abandoned their unwanted (less than physically perfect, or often, female) infants to the elements as a means of divesting themselves of the responsibility and stigma of such a child. This practice was termed “exposing” the child. Some of those rejected children, if physically able, were "adopted" by Ephesian citizens only to serve as slaves.

Testifying to the common act of abandoning children is the following letter written June 17, 1 B.C., by a man named Hilarion to his pregnant wife, Alis:

“Know that I am still in Alexandria. And do not worry if they all come back and I remain in Alexandria. I ask and beg you to take good care of our baby son, and as soon as I receive payment I will send it up to you. If you are delivered of child [before I get home], if it is a boy keep it, if a girl discard it. You have sent me word, ‘Don’t forget me.’ How can I forget you. I beg you not to worry.”

How could such a warm missive contain such a cold directive to simply discard a baby!

As customary as this cold-heartedness was, there were some, mainly Jews and later Christians, who would make a long hike to the outskirts and dunghills to rescue these forgotten children in spite of the great sacrifices they would make to care for them.

Imagine, then, the joy of one of those rescued Ephesian children, slave or free, upon hearing Paul's letter: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Blameless. Loved. Pleasing Him.

You and I also live in a culture which seeks perfection by almost any standard other than the one of a holy God. We want beautiful faces and bodies, state of the art technology, instant and vast knowledge, perfect careers, homes and children. We live in a “throw-away” society that has little use for items, or people, who cannot contribute in ways we find most valuable. The aged, the unborn, and the voiceless are often discarded or put out of view.

And you and I—we definitely fall short by our fellow man’s standards. Even if we became one of the "beautiful people" who graced the covers of magazines and made millions simply by repeating memorized lines, soon the world would tire of seeing us at the top and begin to knock us down the ladder rung by rung until we became yesterday's news, forgotten, mocked, or scorned.

And incredibly, some of us have literally been unprotected or discarded by our very own mothers and fathers.

In other words, we live in a world of hurt.

But we are not abandoned.

Jesus, you could say, like those compassionate Jews and Christians who rescued the abandoned, strapped on his hiking boots and walked a long, steep hill, Golgotha, to rescue us. We belong to him. We belong. He chose us. We are accepted. We are loved.

Can you see Jesus’ determination to rescue us? “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Though it cost him so much, he sacrificed more than we can comprehend to bring us into his family, and no one can ever change our status!

So you may have been literally abandoned at birth, or emotionally abandoned, or abandoned by a spouse or feel like an outsider wherever you are, but the truth is, you are not abandoned. You are deeply wanted.

Jesus, the expression of God’s great love, reached out his mighty hand to scoop you up, redeem you and call you by name—you are His! (Isaiah 43:1).





Please visit Linda Crow at her personal blog:

An Amazing Grace Life

I'm a huge fan of The Amazing Race. I love the adventure, the thrills and new experiences, everything …. except the eating weird stuff part. I don’t like that.

As I've watched this past season it struck me how much this show makes me think of life in Christ - -a fully lived life in Christ is an Amazing Adventure. It's not a race so much as a marathon. It's not about competition but about facing adversity and adventure together. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone; it's about reaching out to new people and cultures; it's about having a spirit that wants to learn and grow, and it’s about partnering with my brothers and sisters in Christ and working together.

I want that kind of Amazing Race life – more an Amazing Grace life. I don’t want to settle for the quiet, peaceful, comfortable existence. I want to live on the edge; I want to reach out to those who others shun; I want to step out in faith – no, I want to LEAP out in faith.

I want to live BIG because I serve God Almighty who spoke this world into existence. I serve the God who raised His son from the dead on the third day and He’s now seated at the right hand of God. I serve a God who is , and was, and is to be! That’s why I want the Amazing Grace life because that’s what He’s done for me! He’s poured out His Amazing Grace over my life.

“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

And when the day is done I want to speak the words of the Apostle Paul

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. “ 2 Timothy 4:7

It’s easy for me to sit in my comfortable chair and type these words. It’s easy for me to say “I want to live on the edge,” but it’s not easy to see the need that’s right in front of me. Like the lady in my church who suffers from depression; the man down the street who lost his job; the teenager who lost her Mom to drugs. Reaching out will take me out of my comfort zone. Reaching out will put my heart on the line. Reaching out may require a leap of faith. It’s easy to say I want to live BIG for God; it’s much harder to do.

My heart cry is to see, truly see, the world around me and to open my eyes and my heart to where God is leading me. I want to see the needs He places before me and meet them. I want to reach out to the people He places in my life and connect with them. I want to go wherever He leads me no matter if it’s down the street or across the world. I want to live the life that God has called me to live and if I do that I will have finished the race and kept the faith.

Where is God leading you?


In Him,

Come by and visit my blog, Joy Filled Living

Join us June 8th - 11th where Mary Snyder will be a featured speaker at A Woman Inspired Ministry Online Conference!! We'd LOVE to see you there!

God's Love, Seeking Truth

The Internet Cafe Welcomes Ann Bailey today!

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like without having a relationship in our Lord?

Have you ever thought how hopeless and how final your life would feel . . . always?

It’s something I think about a lot, especially after the struggles of 2008 - leaving my husband, becoming unemployed and unable to find another job, having no home of my own to live in, having to sell most of my belongings just to live, the trials with my son and the difficulties with family caused by separating from my husband!

My husband and I are now together again.

I thank God every day that we chose to work things out, get some counseling and help for the things that caused our separation . . . but mostly the choice that we have both made to give our marriage to God

I’m not perfect – not even close and yet God loves me as I am. He has known me since before I was even a thought. He has forgiven me for many choices I made in my life that were directly against His will. He loved me even as I chose, at times of my life, to live only for myself with no thought of God or how I was hurting Him or anyone else. He loved me through it all, knowing each and every move I made without Him!

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

God knew me – before I was. He knew everything I would do in this life . . . the choices I would make, the paths I would select, the actions I would take and the sins I would commit against Him. Even knowing my every thought did not change His amazing love for me, the blessings He provides and the awesome gift of His son who carried each of my sins to the cross as He died for us all!

I John 2:1
But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world.

Know anyone else for which you can say the same?

Someone who would love you and continue to bless you and seek your love no matter what you did to them?

No matter how much pain you caused them or how many times you turned you back on them?


God shows no favoritism - His promises are for ALL people. He loves all of us and wants each of us to desire His love. It is His favor that I seek each and every day.

This new year – 2009, God has laid it on my heart to seek a closer understanding of His Truth in His Word.

My topmost goal for this year is to strive each day to live my life in a way that will honor and glorify God in everything that I do . . so that those I come in contact with will desire a life in Him, too.

I Corinthians

Do you not know that your body is a temple Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body

This scripture speaks volumes to me. So many of us are concerned only with self in pleasure, gratification, etc. But really, who is self? I believe this scripture proves to me that self is God and He is where I must center my concern.

I was bought at a price – the price of my Savior’s death on the cross. He died, carrying my sins with Him . . . even though I am the least deserving of such a sacrifice! Knowing the price that was paid for my salvation, how can I choose anything other than to allow Christ to live in my heart and express that relationship with Him in all of my thoughts, words and actions?

This is the beginning of my journey which will lead me to a closer and clearer understanding of God’s plan for my life. This is a new beginning of my journey to seek a closer relationship in Him by really digging into His Word, recognizing the lies I’ve listened to about what my life should be (worldly view) and recognizing and accepting His Truths and applying them to my life. I want to share this journey so that others can see God’s love in action. This is just the beginning! Stay Tuned!

In Him,


Ann B.

visit Ann at her personal site, bits of my life

My Savior

Did you know that almost half a year has gone by already? Recently, as I was taking a very small break during my ever so very busy schedule in the Bateman household, I came to realize that the older I get the faster time goes by!

As memories of my life were flashing back and forth, the thought of my Savior Jesus Christ consistent love for me overcame me with so much emotion and gratitude!

This has been a long journey with Him. One thing has always remained the same and that is Him! The Rock!

Don't get me wrong, He has had to deal with this stubborn and unwilling vessel many times yet He never gave up on me, ever! He is forever faithful, kind, loving. He is my shelter and my best friend.

All along that highway of up's and down's, persecutions, criticisms, murder of my dear father, rape of a daughter, death of children, divorce, loss of closeness of family, loss of home, loss of best friends, remarriage, step-parenting, death threats, adoption, time of refreshing, and right now a time of loveliness in Christ, He has never moved and remains the same!

What a friend! What a Savior!

2 Samuel 22:32-35

For Who is God, except the Lord? And Who is a Rock except our God? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places."

You see my Savior knew I was that vessel that needed a lot of breaking and pruning for me to lay everything down at His feet in order to focus on Him and Him alone. He loved me that much! He sought after me! The awesomeness of this truth overwhelms me at times as it did a few days back during my break!

2 Samuel 22:47-50

The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! It is God who avenges me, And subdues the people under me. He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your Name.

"My Savior Loves my Savior Lives"

...I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned. I only know at His right hand, stands One Who is my Savior. I take Him at His Word and deed. Christ died to save me this I read. And in my heart I find a need. For one who is my Savior. My Savior loves! My Savior lives! My Savior is always there for me! My God He was! My God He is! My God is always going to be! Yes live and die and let me breathe ....

Close and Personal:

1. Is He your Savior? Your best friend?

2. Have you taken time to sit and ponder on all that He has brought you through?

3. Have you shared it with others as an encouragement?

My dearest Savior, I want to take time today to exalt you your Holy name! Thank you Lord for knowing me forever! Knowing that I would have to be a broken vessel before realizing how much you wanted my total attention and devotion, my Lord! I love you, my Savior!

In Him,