Showing posts with label #love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #love. Show all posts
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Are You Ready for Valentine's Day?
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. The day dedicated to all things love, romance, hearts and flowers.
Maybe you are prepared. You have a dinner planned, or reservations made. Cards are signed. Gifts are wrapped. Flowers and chocolate are purchased.
Or, maybe you're still needing a little inspiration for the big day. If so, I'm sharing some of my favorite past love-themed posts, which will hopefully help you out.
You can also check my Pinterest board for some more ideas!
Maybe you are prepared. You have a dinner planned, or reservations made. Cards are signed. Gifts are wrapped. Flowers and chocolate are purchased.
Or, maybe you're still needing a little inspiration for the big day. If so, I'm sharing some of my favorite past love-themed posts, which will hopefully help you out.
You can also check my Pinterest board for some more ideas!
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| https://www.pinterest.com/beckeyp/be-my-valentine/ |
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
What About Love? (One Word in Review)
As some of you may remember, my One Word for 2018 has been LOVE. And what a year it has been!!
I feel as if I have learned so much about love this year... and that I still have so very much more to learn.
I've learned that the greatest commandment is to Love. Jesus said it Himself:
I've learned that it's not about who loves you, but who (whom?) you love. We are supposed to love everyone. Not just the people that love us. Not just the people who look like us. Or think like us. Or live where we live. Or vote the way we vote. Or dress the way we think they should dress. Or act the way we think they are supposed to act. Or look the way we think they should look.
EVERYONE. Period.
We are told to love others as we want to be treated. Not as we are treated. Not as we think they deserve to be treated.
We are even told to love our enemies. The people who are mean to us. Who are hateful. Who hurt us and/or others. (Admittedly, that's a hard pill to swallow. I'm still working on that one and I confess that I have a very very long way to go.)
I've learned that we can't really love others until we love ourselves. And we can't really love ourselves until we love God, and realize how much He loves us. It's only through seeing ourselves as He sees us that we can really love who we are. Then, as we learn that He loves everyone this way and to see others as He sees them - we can learn to love them as he does.
I've come to believe that love really is the answer. If everyone truly loved others. If we were all kind to everyone else. If we took care of others from a place of love. If we were generous and thoughtful and loving... then everyone would feel worthwhile. No one would feel lonely. Or meaningless. Or angry.
I could go on and on. I believe I could spend year after year in this word alone and never learn everything there is to learn about God's Love for us and how He wants us to love others. However, I already feel as if I am being pointed to a new word for 2019. And we'll discuss that one soon.
Until then... Love one another.
I feel as if I have learned so much about love this year... and that I still have so very much more to learn.
I've learned that the greatest commandment is to Love. Jesus said it Himself:
I believe that every little thing in the Gospels comes down to this - God loves us. So much more than we can ever even begin to fully understand. As a response to that kind of Love, we should love Him. And as a result we should also love others.
I've learned that it's not about who loves you, but who (whom?) you love. We are supposed to love everyone. Not just the people that love us. Not just the people who look like us. Or think like us. Or live where we live. Or vote the way we vote. Or dress the way we think they should dress. Or act the way we think they are supposed to act. Or look the way we think they should look.
EVERYONE. Period.
We are told to love others as we want to be treated. Not as we are treated. Not as we think they deserve to be treated.
We are even told to love our enemies. The people who are mean to us. Who are hateful. Who hurt us and/or others. (Admittedly, that's a hard pill to swallow. I'm still working on that one and I confess that I have a very very long way to go.)
I've learned that we can't really love others until we love ourselves. And we can't really love ourselves until we love God, and realize how much He loves us. It's only through seeing ourselves as He sees us that we can really love who we are. Then, as we learn that He loves everyone this way and to see others as He sees them - we can learn to love them as he does.
I've come to believe that love really is the answer. If everyone truly loved others. If we were all kind to everyone else. If we took care of others from a place of love. If we were generous and thoughtful and loving... then everyone would feel worthwhile. No one would feel lonely. Or meaningless. Or angry.
I could go on and on. I believe I could spend year after year in this word alone and never learn everything there is to learn about God's Love for us and how He wants us to love others. However, I already feel as if I am being pointed to a new word for 2019. And we'll discuss that one soon.
Until then... Love one another.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
You Are Loved
The following is a repost of something I wrote several years ago. It still holds just as true as it was then and will ever be...
no matter what you wear
whether your hair is: long or short - curly or straight - brunette, blond, red, gray, or white
even if you have no hair
whatever your job is
even when you are grumpy
If there is one simple truth, one message I could give to you, one thing I want you to step away from this blog knowing - it is this...
God Loves You:
God Loves You:
no matter what you weigh
no matter what you wear
whether your hair is: long or short - curly or straight - brunette, blond, red, gray, or white
even if you have no hair
whatever your job is
even when you are grumpy
with makeup or without
whether you cooked dinner, or ordered takeout
whether your house is clean or messy
whether the laundry is clean or not
if you made it to the gym today or skipped it
with pimples - or wrinkles
if you have a house full of children - or no children
Despite of what you've done
Because of who you are
Because of who you are
Always
No matter what
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Happy Valentine's Day
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
- 1 Corinthians 13: 1-7
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Somebody to Love
The following is a repost of a something I wrote several years ago. (with a few minor edits) My view of the subject remains the same, so I felt it was appropriate to share it once again...
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. The day of Love. Hearts, cupids, flowers and chocolates run wild in every store. And just so you know - Yes, I can hear the groans from here. The quiet grumbles of "made up holiday" and "why should I have to show my love on that day just because Hallmark says so", etc, etc, etc.
And you're right. Although it's roots go back to a religious day to observe St. Valentine - the more modern idea of Valentine's Day is pretty much a made up holiday. And yes, the card companies and candy makers and florists are getting rich off the romantic madness. But you know what else? I don't care!
I can't believe that any reason to show love and affection could be a bad thing. Sure, we should be showing those we love how we feel about them every single day of the year. Goes without saying. But what is one day set aside to remind us of that and encourage us to go all out going to hurt? Any excuse to be loving and affectionate sounds like a good thing to me!
And yes, I know not everyone is involved in a romantic relationship. And some of those persons might feel left out of all the lovey-dovey going around. But is there a law that says one must use Valentine's Day only to show romantic love? Maybe you have a family member you can show a little appreciation and love for on this day of hearts. Or a close friend you love like a sister. Or maybe the person you need to show a little love is yourself!!
You don't like chocolate? Flowers just die anyway. Maybe the gifts aren't your thing. But I bet there is someone who would just appreciate your time and attention. Or maybe you just need a little time to yourself to read that book/watch that movie/take that bubble bath/paint your toenails like you've been meaning to do.
Take advantage of the day meant for love. Show someone some love. Show yourself some love. Just love somebody!
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. The day of Love. Hearts, cupids, flowers and chocolates run wild in every store. And just so you know - Yes, I can hear the groans from here. The quiet grumbles of "made up holiday" and "why should I have to show my love on that day just because Hallmark says so", etc, etc, etc.
And you're right. Although it's roots go back to a religious day to observe St. Valentine - the more modern idea of Valentine's Day is pretty much a made up holiday. And yes, the card companies and candy makers and florists are getting rich off the romantic madness. But you know what else? I don't care!
I can't believe that any reason to show love and affection could be a bad thing. Sure, we should be showing those we love how we feel about them every single day of the year. Goes without saying. But what is one day set aside to remind us of that and encourage us to go all out going to hurt? Any excuse to be loving and affectionate sounds like a good thing to me!
And yes, I know not everyone is involved in a romantic relationship. And some of those persons might feel left out of all the lovey-dovey going around. But is there a law that says one must use Valentine's Day only to show romantic love? Maybe you have a family member you can show a little appreciation and love for on this day of hearts. Or a close friend you love like a sister. Or maybe the person you need to show a little love is yourself!!
You don't like chocolate? Flowers just die anyway. Maybe the gifts aren't your thing. But I bet there is someone who would just appreciate your time and attention. Or maybe you just need a little time to yourself to read that book/watch that movie/take that bubble bath/paint your toenails like you've been meaning to do.
Take advantage of the day meant for love. Show someone some love. Show yourself some love. Just love somebody!
Because love is a many splendored thing!
Love makes the world go 'round!
All you need is LOVE!
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
No Excuses. Unless...
Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is how much time many of us spend looking for the "Unless".
We know the Bible is full of things we should be doing to follow the commandment of loving others as yourself. (Mark 12:31) Which is difficult to do sometimes. Really difficult. This leads to us trying to make excuses and justify our failure to love on others.
I'll be honest. Sometimes I wish it was there. The unless.
Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31 NLT)
Unless... your neighbor is really annoying
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Unless... they were really mean or hateful and just don't deserve it
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 ESV)
Unless... you really want or need it for yourself.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8 NIV)
Unless... you are too busy to get involved
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 ESV)
Unless... you believe no one is going to look out for you unless you think of yourself first.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Unless... what they did was so terrible that they don't deserve to be forgiven.
But you know what? It's just not there. No where does Jesus ever say it's OK to be selfish, or jealous, or prideful, or hurtful. No circumstances that make it alright or that justify it.
Only... Love your neighbor. Love your enemies. Love others
Just... Love.
We know the Bible is full of things we should be doing to follow the commandment of loving others as yourself. (Mark 12:31) Which is difficult to do sometimes. Really difficult. This leads to us trying to make excuses and justify our failure to love on others.
I'll be honest. Sometimes I wish it was there. The unless.
Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31 NLT)
Unless... your neighbor is really annoying
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Unless... they were really mean or hateful and just don't deserve it
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 ESV)
Unless... you really want or need it for yourself.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8 NIV)
Unless... you are too busy to get involved
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 ESV)
Unless... you believe no one is going to look out for you unless you think of yourself first.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Unless... what they did was so terrible that they don't deserve to be forgiven.
Only... Love your neighbor. Love your enemies. Love others
Just... Love.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
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