Perfect Love

Let me just start this by saying the verses used here are some of my favorites regarding one topic. This is my first time putting them all together in one stream of thought, but they are at the very least all cohesive truths of God's word.

Everyone has their own idea of what love is. And in truth there are many different kinds of love (even as expressed in the bible). For some reason it has come up a lot lately in my life, so I decided to share a few little thoughts. There is of course the age old love quote, and it only seems right to start off with this one which we are all undoubtedly familiar with:

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Now I know we hear/read the words so frequently, but rather than just blaze through them - actually think about what this really means. Perfect love is all of these things. Perfect. There is only one source for perfect love and that is God. (Greek) Agape - God's love for us - the most powerful kind of love.

There is no fear in love.

But perfect love drives out fear,

because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:16

The completeness of God's love for us means that we do not have to cower in fear of the Lord's judgement over us because we know that all of the judgement we deserved - past, present, and future - was poured out on Jesus.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

Another amazing truth here: God is in us, so His love is in us. Strive to be so immersed in God's love that it becomes all you know - your home.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart

and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

The purpose of the law is to convict our hearts, not just to be a mere outward observer. To prepare and shape our hearts, to constantly change us closer to the image of Christ.

A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another. John 13:34-35

Love is the distinguishing mark of all of Jesus' followers. I pray that in remembrance of this we would all show a little more of God's love to the world each day. Hopefully through this they will know that we are His, and perhaps they will want to be His too.

Exercise Note:

After a week off I will be running again for the first time tomorrow - with the new ankle braces that I just got in the mail. Let us pray it goes well, my first 5k is in 8 days!

Baker's Note:

I love baking after a long day - great way to unwind. I Made a delicious mixed berry cobbler over the weekend: blackberry, cranberry, blueberry, and strawberry, plus a dash of orange! I love that most of the berries were sweet but the cranberries (and orange) added just enough zing for that fabulous sweet and sour combination (more sweet than sour).

The Swing of Things

     Don't ask, because in truth I do not know where inspiration comes from - except from God. As a slight need to know fact about me: I am a nanny of four wonderful (well, let's not say wonderful, because let's face it they aren't always wonderful) adorable boys. My boys are 4, 2, and 5 month twins. 

     So a few days ago one of the twins was incredibly cranky and wouldn't sleep. The only place that made him happy was to sit on the porch swing with me and just sway gently back and forth. At first I was a little frustrated that he wasn't feeling inclined to sleep during his normal nap time, but then I realized how few opportunities I have to just hold one baby and swing. Any parent of multiple children would probably agree that to only have one of four children not sleeping is quite an accomplishment in itself anyways. 

     As I sat there swinging him I took in all of my wonderful surroundings, and just cherished the moment. So holding a happy cuddly baby I swung and enjoyed the beauty God had laid out for me. My first natural desire when I discover something of beauty is to photograph it, but I realized that you wouldn't be able to hear the sweet song being played for me. So I both wrote a poem (which I still don't feel does the scene justice) and took pictures.

The Swing of Things

The gentle breeze blows your hair.

Distant bird chirps fill the air.

The sun shines brightly through the trees.

Can you hang with the swing of things?

As we sway on so tenderly, 

the chains play a peaceful melody,

added to the song of the rustling leaves.

Can you hang with the swing of things?

The soft white wood hugs you close.

And warm spring air tickles your nose.

Each breath you take brings deeper bliss.

Can you hang with the swing of things?

 

Needless to say this is one of my favorite new places. A great example of what can happen if you slow down and take the time to appreciate the beautiful things God has put on the earth for us (which was my New Years resolution). So appreciative that God has given me these eyes to appreciate the world constantly displaying His glory and singing His praise!

Verses of the Day:

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

Exercise Note of the Day:

I was supposed to run today in preparation for my 5k in 2 weeks, but unfortunately I have been experiencing some fairly severe ankle pain, so at the advice of some of my dear friends I took today off. I have some other work outs planned through Tuesday, then I will take Wednesday off and run next Thursday. At this point I'm just trying to balance rest with time to prepare. That will provide me with another week to be ready for the 5k, and since my last run was 3.4 miles I think I will be just fine. I did order some new ankle braces so hopefully those will help - when they arrive!

Sunday

Thoughts for the Day:

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Not to say that I don't spend time with the Lord other days, or that I don't have fellowship other days, but Sundays are different. My church feels like home, so when I walk in the doors it's like that amazing feeling of being home after a long trip. Everyone is happy to see you and there are hugs and laughter, but at the same time there is this overwhelming feeling that it's not about you, because everyone is gathered to worship the one living God. And His presence is so strong I feel swept away but held tight at the same time. Yes indeed, Sunday is my favorite day of the week.

Quote of the Day:

"Let us draw near to God with sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:22-25

There are many biblical references for encouraging one another, but this one just seems to say it all for how I'm feeling today. What a wonderful calling for us to have: to spend time with our fellow believers and encourage one another!

Photos of the Day:

Exercise Note of the Day:

2.6 miles this morning. I decided to take a new approach to my running, I was planning out the runs for a specific distance and trying to stay close to home, but today I just let myself get lost (sort of, but not really). I have the mapmyrun ap so I checked it occasionally to make sure I was going to run at least my 2.5 mile goal. I liked today's run better but I still haven't mastered my pace. I can't keep my heart rate where it's supposed to be, it's so hard, I feel like I can't run at all to stay that low! I am positive at this point that I CAN run the 5k on February 4th, but now I want to make it an easy run.

On a side note one of the ankle braces I was wearing actually cut into my leg while I was running. Sure sign that I need to get a new one. Have you ever looked at ankle braces in a store? There are about 100 different kinds and trust me I've tried a lot of them. I sure hope I can find one I like, and quick.

Weathering the Storms

Quote of the day:

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebukes the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."

Matthew 8:23-27

Do not be afraid of life's storms, have faith that Jesus will calm them when the time is right. 

God has a purpose in all things, and he is working it for the good of his people and his kingdom.

"And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

My photos for today are from a trip I took to Tuscaloosa in early December. For those who don't know there was a terrible storm there in April of 2011 and there are of the destruction that is still present today:

On a little side note - As I was writing this blog (yesterday) Houston had a huge storm, like we haven't seen in a long time, and I wanted to include a couple of pictures (taken on my phone, poor quality) just so everyone could see. For a moment I started to get worried, as the water was filling up the garage and making it through the seal on the front door, then I remembered this post and God's word, and suddenly it didn't seem so bad. Just to remember when things seem to be going so wrong, that God is always in control. Well, it sure helped me.

Ashes

Some things are made more beautiful by fire, 

then again some are consumed and devastated. 

I frequently drive between Houston and Austin, and along my drive is a little place called Bastrop. In 2011 there was an enormous fire which devoured much of the beautiful hill country in the area. I believe the final tally was over 25,000 acres. Honestly, I think that if I didn't drive past it regularly I would have forgotten about it by now - but I am so thankful that God hasn't let me. Last time I drove through I finally had enough daylight and time to stop and walk around, so here is a little of what I got to see:

A sad, lonely looking, burnt tree.

You can see that the burnt trees go on for quite a ways back there.

Some severely burnt bark on a tree.

 

I didn't even notice the "fence" until I was leaving from taking the pictures 

and saw a few poles still standing further down from where I entered the area.

Quote of the Day:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30


This is one of my personal favorites, I can never get enough of it.
I know it is so frequently used, but it is the truth, and the truth never gets old.
Repetition is a good thing when that which is being repeated is a good thing.

Resolutions

Seeing as it is the beginning of a new year I suppose I must come up with at least one resolution. Therefore:

I resolve to strive not to do my personal best, because I alone can never measure up, but to

depend more wholly on God - the best life I can have is one lead by Him alone.

Photos of the day:

For some unknown reason I have been obsessed with the idea of photographing a tractor for quite some time now and the other day I was an hour late and completely lost out near a prison Southeast of town when I saw this tractor in a field. I decided there was no way I would make the event so I'd rather just stop and take pictures. These I think are my favorites. I currently shoot with nothing special, and I don't like to edit my photos. The beauty of a moment caught raw on film is so much better to me than editing, which attempts to perfect something which I believe is meant to be imperfect.

Quote of the day (one of my favorites):

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn...

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

Psalm 37: 3-7

I sadly, haven't been known for my patience, but thankfully God has been working in my life to produce more patience than I have ever known before. It helps to remember how patient He is with me - for all the times I have stumbled or deliberately turned my back on Him, He never gave up on me. He is patient and loving with me and therefore I strive to be patient and loving with others.

Exercise Note of the day:

I ran my first 2 miles today in preparation for the 5k I will be doing on February 4th. I didn't think it would be as hard as it was. Ouch! Before I post the stats I do want to say that I am going for a target heart range, not a speed, so please don't judge my snail pace.

run: 7:50am - 2.2 miles - 12:07 min/mile pace