Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Ten Ways to Love: #7 & 8: Enjoy and Trust

This is the forth post in a series I'm writing, called Ten Ways to Love. To read the other parts of the series go HERE.

#7 - Enjoy:
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." (Philippians 2:14-15)

God spoke here about enjoying a loving, godly relationhip with those He places in our lives. It would only seem right to do this without complaining. But, who of us hasn't complained about the people we relate with on different occasions, in one way or another? I really like the phrase, "then you will shine among the stars." When we build others up, instead of grumbling, those around us can see God's light shining through us!

#8 - Trust: 
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Wow! Trusting, without wavering, isn't an easy task! But the Lord calls us to trust with an everlasting hope and perseverance. We show our love and commitment to those we care about by consistently trusting, not only in God's great love for us, but also that He loves and wants a relationship with them, as well, and through Christ alone, all relationships can thrive!
 

Continuing to add to my list of  'gifts', as I continue in the Joy Dare.
Ways I feel the love of God:
1,232 - Receiving hugs and loving words from my son and hubby.
 
1,233 - Just finding joy in the little things in life.
 
1,234 - Singing praises in church or to a song on the radio!

A gift in losing, finding, making something:
1,235 - losing: "I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul." (Here's a song that I love the lyrics, even though I'm not a big fan of rap songs, this one I do like).
1,236 -finding: Watched a good and decent movie called, "Finding Forrester." A movie about honesty, integrity, friendship, and the possibilities of determination in the midst of hardship.
1,237 - making: Making the best of every day, no matter whether it's a good or bad day. It's still the day "the Lord has made."
This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it!
(Psalm 118:24)

3 gifts in giving/helping:
1,238 - Helping families in Honduras, by donating a "Family 2 Family" box of food and other needed items through World Compassion Network.
1,239 - Helping a co-worker, by changing my schedule this week and switching days with her. This simple act was a gift to me, as well, since it ended up helping me have a less hectic week.
1,240 - So thankful I am able to give praise and worship to my Lord and King!

3 gifts on paper:
1,241 - Reading  through old "Cottage" and "Garden" magazines and books...dreaming about planting new  flowers this spring.
 
1,242 - Reading through descriptions of houses we want to look at for our son to move into this coming weekend. Praying for one that will be just right for him.
1,243 -  Books I have to read, written by Christian authors. Some are fiction and some help with how to grow closer to God.

3 gifts in animals :
1,244 - Seeing my little Sophie, soaking up the sunshine that came through our window.
1,245 - A bluejay, stopping by for some corn.
1,246 - Spending the afternoon with my sweet little canine friends.
 3 gifts that changed today:
1,247 - The sun shining most of the day - after several days of overcast skies.
 
1,248 - Ice storm (that will be turning into a snowstorm) coming.
(This is Indiana weather for ya! Sunny and pretty on Monday; Icy and cold on Tuesday!)
 
Ice pellets freezing to the living room windows.
1,249 - Spending the evening with my two favorite guys!
 
To end today's post I want to share a Youtube video that a friend of mine shared on her Facebook page. It's a little long, but it's a great reminder of true gratitude and what it can do for one's soul!







Thursday, February 21, 2013

One More Week!!!

  

One more week till it's March!
I am so glad that February is a short month!
It would be so much more difficult for me to get through this cold, dreary month if it were any longer than it is!
  
It also has been a week of many challenges. (Didn't I just say that last week, too?)
We have been helping our son look for a job and housing, as he wants to move out on his own. But we haven't had much success with either, so far. 
Then, on Tuesday he got laid off of his current job. (There was word that they could be laying workers off, but we didn't think it would be this soon.) So, we now need put the job search in full speed.  The weather has been cold, dreary, with icy roads. So, going out is also a challenge. I haven't posted on my blog all week, as I'm struggling to be motivated and write. 
Today, I've decided to take a break from writing on my series, "Ten Ways to Love" and I'm trying to be positive about the weather and circumstances. So, here are some things I'm thankful for -

#1 - There's only one more week till it's March. That means spring is officially just one month away!

#2 - I get to spend a little time with my son before he gets a job and moves, since he currently is living at home.

#3 -

I'm also sharing some photos of
some views out my window.
 People - Sledding. . .
 Skating. . .
 Ice fishing . . .
 Ice-cycles

 And my favorite place to be right now. . .inside the house. . . at my computer, with a cup of 
hot tea. Ahhhh :)
 
 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." 
(Ephesians 1:3)


I also am linking over to the 
link-up 
and continuing my never-ending list.

 Why I love my husband:

He installed our new window blinds for me the day we got them, even though he was tired from working all day.
Because he works days and I work evenings(part-time), he tries to make it home before I have to go in, just to see me and say "hello and goodbye" in person.
He likes to hold my hand during the church service on Sunday mornings.
 He's patient and understanding when I'm moody and not feeling well, due to my monthly female issues.
 He doesn't complain when I ask him to fold/put away his own clothes, after I wash and dry them.



Also linking over to these blog hops: