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!







7 comments:

  1. Beautiful site, Ann and precious aspects of love.

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  2. Hi,
    Thanks for dropping by He Cares for Us. I see you have different Joy Dare clues... which are you using? I love your "finds". I couldn't see Ann's link for Monday, could you?
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. Hi, Janis. The only Joy Dare list I found was the one from last year (2012). Since I have been doing it for over a year, I didn't want to repeat it. Some of the prompts I use, while other times I use my own. I notice that sometimes "Multitude Mondays" doesn't have the link-up added right away. I think sometimes it just gets missed, with all the other info. they put at the bottom. Hopefully they'll catch it and add it later this week.

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  3. I loved reading through your joy dare list. I collected some shells on the beach last week. I love simple pleasures, too.

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  4. I am a true believer that gratitude begets happiness. This joy dare is fantastic, Ann! And you certainly don't seem as though you'll be running out of things to be grateful for any time soon :).

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  5. Hi there...visiting from the link up at Winsome Wednesday (I'm your neighbour). What a beautiful post...and the pictures are gorgeous! I will definitely be back to read the rest of the posts in this series. Thank you for such wonderful inspiration.

    God bless!

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