ABC;s L-Love, M-Mercy, N-Nothing

-

Early morning screened porch snuggles at Shiloh Cousin Camp.

Father, may my grandchildren love the Lord their God with all their heart and love their neighbors as themselves. May they be found faithful to show mercy to all people and through the power of the Holy Spirit with boldness believe and live out the truth that nothing can separate them from the love of God. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen
 

Love-Love the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.  Matthew 5:7


In a recent Bible study, a challenge question was posed related to the "Rules for Christian Living" in Romans 12:9-13

"Who am I living out life honoring more than myself?"  Whew. I answered, "Not nearly enough people."  My neighbors have a boat load of needs right now, but my immediate needs for "my house" are taking precedence.  I need to make time for my neighbors.  If I ask the Lord to make a way, I know He will.  I need to remember my children and grandchildren are watching.


Mercy - Show mercy to all people.  Matthew 5:7


I blew it the other day. I was rushing to get home to a baby sitting gig, when a voicemail

popped up saying my new glasses were ready to be picked up. I was right at the stop light by the optical shop, so I called home and said I was going to scurry in and do this.  This shop still requires that a mask be worn and the one I'd picked up in the car happened to be a toddler's Mickey Mouse mask.  I knew they would have masks in the doctor's office side of this shop.  A man was at the check in counter, but I stuck my head around him, interrupting the process with my selfish sense of urgency and asked if I could simply have a mask.  He gave me a "Well EXCUSE me look."

I went next door to the shop, but as I sat waiting for my glasses I became convicted of my rudeness and went back to the doctor's office.  I apologized to the man for being so rude.  He said, "It's all good."

As I was leaving with my glasses he was in the parking lot getting into his Sheriff's car...LOL...great.  As I took the time to look more closely at him I said, "Do you go to CrossPointe  Church?"  I love the honesty in his response.  "Sometimes."  I explained I was the pastor's wife and thought that I had spoken to him several weeks ago.  He then remembered me, even though I was just coming from a water aerobics class and was wearing a cover up and my hair was dripping wet and pulled up on my head.  We exchanged names and I told him I looked forward to seeing him again. Me oh my, I was so glad that even though I had started out a far from merciful, the Lord righted my attitude and I had a repentant spirit.


Nothing-Believe and live out the truth that nothing can separate them from the love of God.  Romans 8:31-39


A woman in water aerobics was chatting with me and said, "The world has gone totally coo coo." 

Yes, it appears it has and it may get even nuttier and not be a pleasant place to live, but what a 

comfort to know that nothing can separate us from the love of God.


The Song

"Nothing Can Separate" Matt Redman and Lucy Grimble

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1wAY8dlKbU




Popular posts from this blog

She Fought the Good Fight

-
Image
February 27 Bible Gateway's verse yesterday was: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him . 1 John 4:9 A fitting verse for the day my everyday friend, soul sister, monster of the faith and mischievous partner in crime, Kaye, left this world behind and headed to her heavenly home. My husband was able to be by her bedside and said he knew she heard the words of our faith that he shared. Her sweet daughter held the phone up to her ear so I could say good-bye and the brightest single star you have ever seen shown through my bedroom window as she exited this earth! Yesterday, my heart literally ached so badly that I told the Lord, "Take me too!" Wouldn't she have been surprised if I had snuck up on her in heaven and said, "Thought you were going somewhere without me, did ya." When we received the call she was ready to go, I called out to the Lord for comfort and He led me to the Bible Gat...
Read more

Toe Sucking

-
Image
June 13 If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet. Psalm 25:12 …or allow them to be sucked off by carp!  For as long as I've been on this lake (49 years) we've gone to feed the carp at various marinas.   I have a bag of old bread waiting to be tossed to the carp tomorrow by our grandchildren!   There's a new adventure at a couple of the marinas.  Toe sucking!   For 25 cents you can buy a small scoop of peanut butter to go on your toes. Then the carp suck it off!   I just got a pedicure, so I have an excuse not to participate! What we do need to participate in is keeping our feet on the paths the Lord sets before us. Give careful though to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:26 
Read more

Remember Your Story

-
Image
Our oldest granddaughter made this bouquet and hand painted card for me.💖 Nothing touches our lives that God doesn't allow.  He has a plan and a purpose, sometimes far into the future, that can be used for His glory. (Jeremiah 29:11) Flash back 40 years and I approached life's downs with an "I can't believe this is happening." and truth be told "How can I fix it?" attitude.   Now that I am older and wiser I see that God truly works all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28) I thank God for the stroke 8 years ago and how it mellowed me out (okay some of you are laughing, but it really did). And honestly,  I like getting old. Sure, there are regrets, but there is also value in being able to pass along the wisdom learned from those regrets. God CAN use everything for His good. Mentoring moments are what I feel called to at this stage of life.  Working on a talk for a women's retreat weekend, I came ac...
Read more