To you, with love

He loves you

He chose you
for your beauty
He sees
your fears and insecurities
your longings
your desires and dreams
your agonies
  past mistakes
 present heartbreak
future ones to come
Yet
He loves you
He cherishes you
He brings you to him
united forever

He soothes your brow
enfolds you with loving embrace
shields you from painful word and action
that come against

He surrounds you
with Truth
goodness
love and joy
and peace

He begs you to turn away
from the evil one
who seeks to destroy
your life
yourself
your husband
your family
your unit
your love for each other

He loves you
He doesn’t waiver.
Isn’t it enough?
He loves you
He chose you
He united you
He is with you
He is waiting
for you
for you and he
to come,
to realize
there is much to be and do
much to hold on it
much to build up together
He desires
a relationship
not separate from each other
but a union with Him
a Oneness. 

(c) July 2, 2012 

 

God became a human being to show us the way

God became human so we would come to know what being human really is … and what it is not.

God is love

Love is kindness

Love is acceptance
Love is ongoing, forging ahead, pursuing

Love is patient
Love is compassionate
Love builds up another

Love thinks good thoughts

Love seeks the best in another

Love is merciful, gentle

Love is forgiving

Love is thankful

Love embraces each new day

Love is faithful

Love is secure

Love intently listens with our ears, our eyes, our heart

Love is hopeful

Love is joyful

Love is trusting

Love endures

Love believes

Love helps to carry another’s burdens

Love rejoices in the truth

God came to earth

The baby born in a manger

Jesus – Immanuel

God with us

To show the world

You and me

He came to take your place

He came to bring you hope

He came out of love

God is not unloving

Love is not envious

Not provoked

Not rude

Love does not hold grudges

Does not devalue and destroy – ourselves or another

Love is not spiteful

Love is not harmful

Love does not desire what belongs to another

Love does not lie – to ourselves or to another

 Love does not respond negatively

Love is not deceitful

Does not argue and dispute endlessly

Does not murmur against another

Love does not continually complain

Does not hinder the personal growth of another

Love does not show resentment

Love does not judge another

Love is not abstract

Love is real.

God is real.
God does not waver; He is unchanging

God is love

God’s love is unconditional

God gave of Himself
He sent His Son
to show us the way … the way of hope, the way of joy, the way of peace … the way to being real and true and complete.

It is not found in ourselves.
It is not something we can conjure up and it’ll happen

It is only through God and because of God that we truly know what humanity is, what love is, and what it is not.

(c) June 16, 2012 

Jesus is the gift ... the best gift of all

What is the gift?
The gift we seek
The one to give another
The one another brings

What is the gift?
Is it love shared
a sacrifice made
Together
or alone

What is the gift?
on this
Christmas Day?

Who gave the gift?
Who gives it still?

It is NOT Mr. Claus
It is NOT
that one in a red suit
and white beard
who shakes when he laughs
who comes but once a year
and makes you think
he knows what you want
and will bring it too.

No.
It is NOT Mr. Claus.

It was and is LOVE.
It was and is a sacrifice.

Jesus is the gift.
The one we seek
The one we share
Love come down
from heaven above

(c) December 23, 2010 

God's Love

God's love
created us
and for a little while we enjoyed the relationship
but then we rebelled against His influence,
we let temptation rule
we sinned.

God's love
sought us
and for a little while we enjoyed the attention
but then we pursued personal desires
and our actions grieved Him greatly.

God's love
saved us
and for a little while we enjoyed the security
but then we desired more and bigger and greater
and all we had was never enough.

God's love
healed us
and for a little while we enjoyed restored health and well-being
but then we denied His touch and His instruction
and we fell.

God's love
follows us
precedes us
surrounds us

and where are we?

Even as believers in Christ
we fail
None are perfect
We make errors in judgment
in anger

Don't say you don't
Don't say you live a perfect life.
You do not.

Only Jesus is
The Perfect One.

God's love
took His Son to the cross
and for a little while He was separated
from His Father as He gave His life
for the sins of me and you.

God's love
buried us
and for a little while we too are separated
from Him
but then Jesus rose from the dead,
and with Him, we too rise
to newness of life.
Pursuing as He pursues,
living as He lives
is our hope.

(c) May 16, 2012 

It is God's gift

It is God's gift of grace

that found us

and through the shed blood of

His Son,

gave us new life.

It is God's gift of grace

that brings us,

His followers,

into fellowship sweet,

a source of

incomparable joy and strength.

It is God's gift of grace

in the midst of sorrow

wherever we are

to gather

gaining nourishment

for the weariness

that seeks to overcome us.

It is God's gift of grace

that destroys

the tall gangling weed

or short stubby one

and replaces it with

roses and lilies.

It is God's gift of grace

His very love

that encircles us

renews us

enhances us

in the home

in a letter

in a phone call

in a prayer

in a Bible Study

in the workplace

in the food court

in fun and games

in community worship.

It is God's gift of grace

that reminds us

without Him

there is nothing,

we are nothing,

But

with Him

All things are possible.

It is God's gift of grace

that binds us --

our compassion,

our kindness,

our humility,

our gentleness,

our patience,

our forbearance,

our forgiveness,

our love for the Lord --

together as One.

 (c) July 1, 2011

What is Love? ... God

Speech

becomes

meaningless,

obnoxious,

without thought,

noisy like a clanging bell.

Predictions

foretold

of a future time

Fortune tellers

they are -

past

and present -

for personal gain.

Feed

clothe

fund

the poor

the less advantaged.

Do it all

But,

without God,

without Love,

you and I gain nothing

we are of

no value.

Love Is God

It is

more than what may unfold between man and woman

more than friendship

more, much more.

Love Is

God's gift of His Son, The Christ, to mankind

Love Is

patient

... kind

Love

seeks after the truth

.... rejoices in the truth

Love

builds up another,

... encourages

Love Is

... Unselfish

... Unending

... Unfailing

... Undeserved

... and without thought of return.

Love Believes

Love Hopes

Love Endures

What is love?

God.

(c) July 19, 2011

More of God's Love

God's Love

is patient, kind

Not envious

Not jealous

Not proud

Not selfish

Not in a hurry

Not bearing grudges

Not rude

is passionate

Rejoices In the Truth

Not wrongdoing

Not a falsehood

Not a lie

(not even a little white one)

Sees clearly

Not with malice

is faithful

Not dependent on our courage or lack thereof

Not giving in when we fail

is miraculous

is mighty and strong, powerful

Not weary

Not weak

is perfect

Not to be feared

is complete

Not separated from the frenzied hurriedness,

busyness of our lives

Shares with others

Moves you to live righteously,

not as sinners

is gentle and compassionate

Not angry

Not quarrelsome

Not forceful

is supportive

Always concerned about the well-being of His children

Never fails

is like a lamb

Not a roaring lion.

is for us

undeserving,

without any thought of return

is calming

Pursues us

Not to punish,

but to have a relationship

because of love …

God’s Love.

God’s Love

is a reminder -

He is Pure and Holy,

without blemish

Not flawed

Not the deceiver

Not the enemy

God’s Love

is invisible, yet not

Surrounds you

Embraces you

Reveals His Son to you and reveals Himself as your Holy Father

is the Holy Spirit,

living within your heart

when you have accepted His Son

as your Savior.

God’s Love

Builds you up

Not a disappointment

Not conditional

Sets you free

Not enslaved

God’s Love

grows

Not stagnant

Fills you to overflowing

Instructs, guides you

on your life’s journey of twists and turns

Created you

Gives meaning and purpose

Understands your pain and anxiety

and gives comfort

Shows you the foolishness

you give in to

God’s Love

searches high and low

for you, His lost child,

and when He finds you,

there is much rejoicing

and gladness of heart

God’s Love

gives you reason to thank Him

always, continually

Shows us how expressing

our love for His Son, Jesus,

frees us

from the burden of our guilt

Knows you,

your innermost being

your troubled heart

Helps us

to forgive others

to let go of the past

is genuine

Not a list of errors

does He keep

is always with you

Always has your best interest

God's Love

expresses joy

in the face of a believer

when we give

sacrificially

to Him alone

a single solitary act

of returning His love

for us

to Him.

to Him alone.

God's Love

a longing for more and more

of Him.

God's Love

brought us

a mediator,

a savior

Jesus!

God's Love

is sufficient

deserves our praise, our honor

Not our mocking

Invades us

our very being

enfolds us with Him

bring us to Him

one with Him .... alone without Him

is never ending.

Eternal.

(c) October 30 / November 2, 2010

“... God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”  (1 John 4:16-18)

 “does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” ( 1 Corinthians 13:6-8)

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

“Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:35, 37)

His song

Praying
singing
praising
rejoicing

Morning light
noon day fair
in the night
His Song -
The Song of Life
The Song of Joy
The Song of Sweet Remembrance

His Song -
shall be with me

(c) March 15, 2012

You shall love your neighbor as yourself

You shall love your neighbor as yourself
That is
The Lord's command

Your neighbor
All those around you

Your self

Love
does no harm
is the fulfillment
of the law
is all Jesus is
all Jesus does

I am
sorrowful
saddened
dismal

An encounter
with another
does not bring
does not bear
the fruit God desires
of each

Where is our love
and patience
and kindness
and self-control

Where is Jesus
to whom
we both
profess to be one with

Where indeed?!

We see instead
outbursts
of anger
selfishness
dissension
conceit
provocation

One provokes
One responds
but not
I tell you
in God's love

We provoke another
We respond in kind

Did it set us free?
No.

It gives Satan pleasure

but it saddens the Lord
and breaks our fellowship with Him.

We are
to do good
to all,
as the opportunity comes,
and especially,
to our brothers and sisters
in Christ.

We are
to walk in the Spirit,
as we live in the Spirit.

(c)  March 26, 2012

"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:26) 

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)

His Gift of Love

The gifts
under the tree
seem unnecessary

whether there is little
or much to give
and or receive
The gifts
are not important

If there is little,
we become desolate
If there is much,
we become proud and arrogant

We share and show
our love for another
but what have we to give
to Jesus?

Does He have need of material things --
toys or clothes or books
I think not.

It is love
and compassion
patience,
kindness,
comfort,
goodwill to another

He looks into our hearts
in the midst of wherever we are
He knows who we are
and what we are
He desires us to know Him.

There is no amount of good
we can ever do or achieve
to obtain the gift
of love
Jesus freely offers

We have only to accept
Accept, believe, obey, trust, love.

Love.
Trust.
Hold onto the promises.
Never forget,
Never let go.

Remember the baby
It is God
who chose to come
to earth
to be for me and you --
among us
to bring us new new life
to save us from our sins

Love Him
Trust Him
Never cease to remember
who He is,
the Mighty King
Jehovah Jirah,
Our All in All
Never lose sight of
His Glory,
of the Love
He has for you,
He has given us.

Do we owe Him any less?
Not as an obligation,
but of love.

Love and reverence,
Love and joy,
Love and trust.
He is worthy.
Trust Him.

There is nothing we can do
ourselves.
There is nothing we are
or can ever hope to be
without the Lord Jesus -
our lives are incomplete.
Without Him, we cannot
accomplish His purpose.

Remember
Always remember

It is His love for us
that is the true gift
of all
Our response
is our love for Him

Be it ever true,
full of faith
and hope,
but most especially,
full of love.

(c) December 21/22, 2011

Is life ...?

Is life ... vanity ... is it grasping for the wind ... or is it more? 

A child is born 

A child dies 

To all there is 

in everything, 

there is a season

a time 

appointed by God 

to take that first breath of air 

to have 

to hold 

to rejoice 

to dance 

to laugh

to encourage 

to build up 

to keep 

to speak 

to comfort 

to learn 

to work and labor 

to embrace 

to find fulfillment 

but too, 

appointed by God

that last gasp of air

to mourn 

and grieve

to break down 

to cry 

to discard 

to kill 

to labor and labor and

constantly toil 

to discourage

to tear down

and destroy 

to keep silent

and in between,

precious moments

that last however long

God has given us. 

All of time 

belongs to God

is appointed by Him

We cannot,

should not approach life

like it belongs solely 

to us,

think whatever 

we do 

can enable 

whatsoever we desire. 

God gave us life 

each and everyone 

of us 

Individually

it is our 

earthly mothers and father

but beyond, 

it is our 

heavenly Father 

and in everything

there is a season, 

a time 

appointed by Him 

The Lord Almighty

A time to love .... 

and to hate 

A time of war ...

and of peace.

In all of life 

there is love 

and hope 

and faith

but the greatest 

of all 

is love 

Love takes you 

to and through 

places 

unknown to you

Without love 

in every aspect of our life

we are not,

have not, 

do not 

and sometimes, too, 

with love, 

we find ourselves 

lacking, 

sorrowful 

deep within

for all 

we are not, 

all we have not

all we do not.

"Seek those things 

which are above -- 

where Christ is. 

Set your mind on things 

above,

not on things 

on the earth." 

(Colossians 3:1-2)

Love

The Love God bestows 

bears all things 

believes all things 

hopes all things 

endures all things.

Without failing, 

feelings of failure,

of fear, 

of worry

Memories 

of precious moments 

hold together 

our love 

for another 

who has passed from us. 

Pursue life 

given us by God

Pursue love 

given us through Christ 

Pursue God

our creator, our sustainer, our everything

stay one with Him,

walking with Him, 

and even in the midst 

of much trial and suffering,

we will be at peace. 

(c) November 24/28, 2011

(Thoughts taken from Scripture found in Ecclesiastes 1-3 and I Corinthians 13:7, 13)

The Ten - God's Covenant of Love

The commandments,
The ordinances,
The regulations,
The rules,
The Covenant --
set forth
by God
to and with His people,
designed to shed light,
to be Light
to give instruction,
guidance
for holy living.

The Lord God seeks
a willing heart,
a love-filled heart.
The gifts, offerings
we bring
show our reverence
to the Lord,
our Master and King.

Those (gifts) given selfishly,
without love
and devotion
to Him,
the giver of life,
are not accepted,
are not approved.

If in our living
it is not to
The Most Holy One
our total allegiance
lies,
we have failed.
Our reward is just --
we face
eternal punishment,
eternal damnation,
eternal separation.

God's Covenant --
He has made many such pacts
But,
The Ten
boils down to
LOVE
"Love the Lord
with ALL your heart,
ALL your soul,
ALL your mind,
All your strength
and
Love your neighbor
as yourself."
(Mark 12:30-31)

Jesus,
son of God,
The Most High,
The Most Holy One,
tells us
no other commandment
is greater than these.

Jesus,
The One
Whom God the Father
destined would fulfill
His plan to bring mankind
to Him,
to Eternal Glory.

Jesus,
born of God and
the Virgin Mary

Jesus,
born to suffer and be rejected,
persecuted.

Jesus,
born to die,
to hang from a cross
pounded nails into flesh
Our Sin, Our Sin!

Jesus
paid the price.

Born to die,
to rise from the dead
to live forevermore
within our hearts
to bring mankind to a
saving knowledge
to Eternal Security
Eternal Life

Jesus
"the living stone
chosen by God
and precious"
(1 Peter 2:4)

Jesus Lives!

(c) October 25, 2011

God's Love

Love
is
patient

Love
is
kind

Love
is
fresh and new
each day

Love
is
viewing life
clearly
plainly
without grudges
without pretense
without masking feelings
that are false
and hateful

Love

True Love
is
God's Love

"It bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things."
(I Corinthians 13:7 NKJV)

(c) October 24, 2011