Your Gifts
What gift do you have that you can share with others?
Maybe you are a good cook.
Maybe your gift is organization.
Maybe you love being outside and doing yard work.
Whatever that gift is, use it to bless someone else today.
That is one way to share His love.
“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”
1 Peter 4:7, 11 MSGShare this:
What Are You Grateful For?
It’s easy to complain.
Maybe too easy sometimes.
Someone cut you off while you were driving.
You had to wait in line longer than you wanted.
The outcome was not what you expected.
In reality, there is always something to be thankful for.
My kids will tell you I am like a “Positive Polly” – always looking for the good in every situation.
Truthfully, there are days I don’t always feel that way.
But in His word, we are told to be thankful and sing His praises.
God has been so good to me, I only need to open my eyes and take in a deep breath in the morning, and I already have 2 things to be grateful for each day.
And there is so much more.
So what can you tell Him thank you for today?
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,”
Psalms 92:1-2 NLTShare this:
Always Near
We were walking back from an event the other night.
My gaze was fixed on the spot ahead where we going to meet our Uber driver.
My son found something different to fix his gaze on.
And I had walked right past it without noticing.
Off in the distance was The Papal cross, it’s silhouette unmistakable against the night sky.
How many times do shift my gaze to the things of this world, and forget that He is always near?
Friends, today be reminded today that the One who loves you is always close.
And if you see someone looking elsewhere, remind them, too.
Share His love.
“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:10 TPTShare this:
Holding Love
As we were walking around on our first day of vacation, we came across this stained glass window of two hands holding a heart.
What a beautiful representation of carrying love.
Holding love for one another is one of the most important things we can do.
It is how we can best honor the One who is Love.
“Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.”
Romans 12:9-10 TPTShare this:
His
Sometimes we are recognized by our position or roles in life.
“This is so and so’s girlfriend.”
“Aren’t you so and so’s mother?”
“You were my 10th grade teacher!”
We even define ourselves this way.
But did you know that the Creator of the universe knows you by name?
God simply calls you His.
Years ago, I ordered a coffee mug with His on it.
Because you can never really have enough coffee mugs, although my husband might disagree.
When it arrived, it had a chip on the rim.
It was broken.
That mug has lived on the shelf in my family room ever since.
It’s a beautiful reminder that even though I am broken, I am still His.
God is not concerned with any of my titles or my perfection.
He has already called me His own.
Above all other titles or positions, that truly defines who I am.
Even though I love being known as John’s wife and Jon and Dan’s mom, I hope that is how you recognize me.
As His.
Friends, regardless of how others see you or how broken you may feel, remember this:
God knows you by name and calls you His.
“But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” Isaiah 43:1 MSG
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Show Your Roots
Looking out the window while on the treadmill this morning, I noticed the exposed roots of a tree.
The area surrounding it appeared to be dried up.
The roots were easy to see.
Though not completely sure what type of tree this was, its roots appeared to run deep.
The tree was still standing, despite the erosion around it.
When we are deeply rooted in Christ, we are given the strength we need to stand tall.
Just like that tree.
I wonder if my roots are easy for others to see in the dry seasons?
Do I stand tall, grateful to not be swept away by the storms around me and showing gratitude to the Creator?
Or do I shift my focus away from the roots to what’s going on around me?
Friends, may you be strengthened today in faith knowing you are rooted in Him.
May our roots be visible for all to see.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7 NIVShare this:
Put on Love
With the flurry of activity in the backyard, it took awhile for me to notice.
We were hosting a baby shower over the weekend for dear family friends and their son.
Everyone had contributed to the day.
Decorating an amazing balloon arch.
Creating a multitude of desserts that were as pleasing to the eye as they were to taste.
Making a buffet of food to serve the many guests who came to celebrate this special occasion.
And on grill duty, my friend Chris.
Our families had met at church over 20 years ago.
We have celebrated many occasions together over the years.
Today was the addition of a new memory.
But when I looked down to the yard to see my friend taking a break from the heat, I saw something that I had missed earlier.
Chris was wearing my Dad’s apron.
Behind my sunglasses, I could feel my eyes tear up.
My sister had made this apron out of one of my Dad’s shirts for me after he passed away.
It hung just around the corner from the kitchen.
If my parents were still with us, they would have been in the backyard celebrating as well.
With all the activity, I almost missed it.
My friend had put on love.
That meant more than I could say.
In our day to day lives, that is what we are called to do as God’s people.
To above all else, put on love.
In a world full of distractions, we are called to reflect kindness, compassion and patience.
Maybe it is through a kind word.
Maybe it is through a simple gesture.
It can even be by putting on an apron.
Whatever it is for you friends, don’t forget to put on love today.
It’s your most important garment.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:12-14 ESVShare this:
Pass It On
My son, Dan is working at Summer Camp now that his semester has ended at college.
The thought of camp makes me think back to my own experiences during childhood with camps and Vacation Bible School.
Snack time and crafts.
Meeting new friends.
But it is the music that stands out in my mind the most.
A song written by Kurt Kaiser will forever be embedded in my heart.
Pass It On.
As an adult, I realize now that it was also laying the foundation for what we are all called to do: share His love.
Once you have experienced it, you do not want to keep it to yourself.
Here are some of the lyrics:
“It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread His love to ev’ryone
You want to pass it on.”Have you experienced His love?
Who can you pass it onto today?
It only takes a spark.
Share His love.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NLTShare this:
Where Will You Fix Your Eyes?
The skies on Saturday were spectacular.
A reminder of the beauty of His creation.
Each view gave a different perspective.
As we were driving home, I felt like my head was on a swivel, looking in all directions to take it all in.
It was hard to keep my eyes focused forward.
But this was the view that displayed a beautiful rainbow.
The reminder of God’s covenant with His people.
This is true on other days as well.
I get distracted by the things around me and forget to fix my eyes on His promises.
The things of this world may provide beauty, but will never provide what He can.
Where will you fix your eyes today?
“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
Genesis 9:12-13 NIVShare this:
Where to Walk
Somedays it is hard to know where to start.
A long to-do list.
Too many tabs open on your computer.
Multiple voices pulling you in different directions.
This is when I need God to direct my steps the most.
Before the day begins, listen for His unfailing love.
Trust Him.
He will show you where to go.
Blessings to you weekend!
“Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.”
Psalms 143:8 (NLT)Share this:
