Showing posts with label love one another. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love one another. Show all posts
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Sunday, August 25, 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, April 15, 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
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
My One Word: LOVE
It's that time again... when I select one word to be my focus for the next year. Each year, I start praying about my word and thinking about it around October. Somehow the word always seems to find me rather than having to go looking for it. In past years that work has been Fearless, Better, and - most recently - Simplify.
For 2018 my word is: LOVE
I anticipate this year being a journey of three stages based on Matthew 22: 37-39...
"Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
Love of God: Sinking deeper into His Word to develop a better understanding and appreciation of His great unconditional for myself and the world at large. As a result, I expect my own love for Jesus to deepen and mature
Love of Myself: Learning to love and appreciate myself for the unique individual God created me to be. Taking better care of myself - spiritually, emotionally, and physically through kindness, acceptance and grace.
Love of Others: Demonstrating LOVE to those around me. Especially family and friends. But also strangers and even to the seemingly unlovable.
Do you have a word for 2018?
For 2018 my word is: LOVE
I anticipate this year being a journey of three stages based on Matthew 22: 37-39...
"Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
Love of God: Sinking deeper into His Word to develop a better understanding and appreciation of His great unconditional for myself and the world at large. As a result, I expect my own love for Jesus to deepen and mature
Love of Myself: Learning to love and appreciate myself for the unique individual God created me to be. Taking better care of myself - spiritually, emotionally, and physically through kindness, acceptance and grace.
Love of Others: Demonstrating LOVE to those around me. Especially family and friends. But also strangers and even to the seemingly unlovable.
Do you have a word for 2018?
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
What I Want Them To Know
I have seen many parents giving voice to concerns over what they should tell their children today. I see my own mostly grown offspring expressing disbelief and anxiety. And I myself have wondered what the future holds for our nation. This is what I want my children to know:
I can't explain the results of the election to you. Or any other election, for that matter. Every person who voted had his or her own reasons for choosing the candidate they did. I don't know most of them. I don't know their lives, their situations, or why they think the way they do.
I know you are confused. You may also feel fear. You may feel disillusioned. You may be angry. That's ok. Feel what you feel. Feel free to express that in a constructive and respectful way. But do not allow yourself to be overcome by it!
The election may be over, but now is the time to make an even more important decision. You must choose how it will affect you. Will you become bitter and disillusioned and give up? Will you let the momentum build and sweep away everything you dreamed for your future? Will you roll over and play dead? Or will you let it make you stronger and more determined to work for what you believe? The choice is yours.
I see people talking about moving to Canada. Are we really ready to give up on our home? To run from the challenge? Or do we take a stand? Continue to try to make a difference where ever and when ever you can.
You may feel insignificant. You may feel outnumbered. You may think there's nothing you can do. Believe me when I tell you that one determined person can change the world.
You know what is right and what is wrong. You know to treat people with respect and kindness. Just because someone else calls names, belittles and demeans others, or participates in "locker room talk" does not make it ok or mean we must follow that example. Jesus told us to Love each other. He didn't say to only be kind to those who have the same opinions as us. In fact He said the exact opposite!
We can let the divisiveness continue to grow and tear our country apart even further. Or we can decide to work with what we have been given and look to how we might make the best of things. We must try to find some kind of middle ground where we can meet, while also continuing to stand up for what we believe is important.
I can't explain the results of the election to you. Or any other election, for that matter. Every person who voted had his or her own reasons for choosing the candidate they did. I don't know most of them. I don't know their lives, their situations, or why they think the way they do.
I know you are confused. You may also feel fear. You may feel disillusioned. You may be angry. That's ok. Feel what you feel. Feel free to express that in a constructive and respectful way. But do not allow yourself to be overcome by it!
The election may be over, but now is the time to make an even more important decision. You must choose how it will affect you. Will you become bitter and disillusioned and give up? Will you let the momentum build and sweep away everything you dreamed for your future? Will you roll over and play dead? Or will you let it make you stronger and more determined to work for what you believe? The choice is yours.
I see people talking about moving to Canada. Are we really ready to give up on our home? To run from the challenge? Or do we take a stand? Continue to try to make a difference where ever and when ever you can.
You may feel insignificant. You may feel outnumbered. You may think there's nothing you can do. Believe me when I tell you that one determined person can change the world.
You know what is right and what is wrong. You know to treat people with respect and kindness. Just because someone else calls names, belittles and demeans others, or participates in "locker room talk" does not make it ok or mean we must follow that example. Jesus told us to Love each other. He didn't say to only be kind to those who have the same opinions as us. In fact He said the exact opposite!
We can let the divisiveness continue to grow and tear our country apart even further. Or we can decide to work with what we have been given and look to how we might make the best of things. We must try to find some kind of middle ground where we can meet, while also continuing to stand up for what we believe is important.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
As I Have Love You
“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you must love one another."
~ John 13:34
"Love one another"
Jesus' words to His disciples. "Love one another" Seems simple enough, doesn't it?
But He doesn't stop there. Not just the basic "love one another" . Nope...
"As I have loved you, so you must love one another"
Whoa!! Hold up there!
Love others as Jesus loved?
Jesus... Fully God. Fully man.
Jesus... Who gave up everything - His place in Heaven, His home. His place of power at the right hand of God. His very life! Gave it all up out of love.
THAT's the kind of love to which we are called? Those are some mighty big sandals to fill!
I dare say most of us aren't willing or able to love fully to that extent.
But if we tried... If each of us held that kind of love up as the example we worked to imitate.
Imagine the difference it could make in the world if each of us at least made the attempt to love as Jesus loved.
You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups
The Dwelling Tree: Let's Be Friends
Cornerstone Confessions: Titus 2 Tuesday
Rich Faith Rising: Unite!
Growing Home: Growing Homemakers
A Little R & R: A Little R&R Wednesdays
Joy Dare Blog: Capture Your Journey Link Up
My Daily Walk in His Grace: Winsome Wednesday
So Much at Home Linkup Party
Holley Gerth: Coffee for Your Heart
Adorned From Above: Wednesday Link Party
Mom's Morning Coffee: Coffee & Conversation
The Dwelling Tree: Let's Be Friends
Cornerstone Confessions: Titus 2 Tuesday
Rich Faith Rising: Unite!
Growing Home: Growing Homemakers
A Little R & R: A Little R&R Wednesdays
Joy Dare Blog: Capture Your Journey Link Up
My Daily Walk in His Grace: Winsome Wednesday
So Much at Home Linkup Party
Holley Gerth: Coffee for Your Heart
Adorned From Above: Wednesday Link Party
Mom's Morning Coffee: Coffee & Conversation
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