Grow Old With Me

Happy Birthday, Hon! The one I dream with, fight with, laugh with, cry with . . . my all, my best friend! Today I can't help but thank our Lord for every birthday we can share . . .

from when we were just friends . . .

to building our first home ...

to seeing you become and be such a good dad . . .

to celebrating special milestones . . .

to seeing you walk our daughters down the isle . . .

to becoming 'Papa & Grammy' together.

I pray God blesses you with continued health, strength and joy. I love you for the seasons we've shared, for the one we're in and for what is still to come.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

I chose the above picture because it somehow symbolizes a beauty that can show up in the most unexpected places. Joy reflects a beauty even in the midst of poverty or sadness and is not dependent on outward circumstances.

Joy is the second fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 6:22, and is a direct response to what God had done for us. In this short overview, I will list three reasons I can reflect a joy that is not dependent on what we normally think we need to be joyful.

When the disciples of Jesus came to Him, rejoicing because of being able to perform miraculous signs, Jesus said, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” One day the Book of Life will be opened and the only thing that will matter is that my name is written in it. With that assurance, what else really matters? This is my foremost reason to rejoice.

A second reason I can rejoice is in knowing that God desires to show Himself to me in every circumstance - even, and more often so, in the hard things. It is in the difficulties that we will more likely call out to Him and rely on Him. It reminds me of the song that goes, “If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve it.” Beth Moore emphasizes that “the presence, purpose and power of God are best discovered through difficulty.” The Bible also says to consider it joy when we face various trials (James1:2) because of the way our character can be built through them. There is joy in knowing that God is in control and knows the end from the beginning.

And finally, but definitely not least or last, we have hopefully all experienced the joy of a restored relationship, whether with a friend, co-worker or family member. Forgiveness is a feeling beyond compare! In the Christian’s life, the reality of being restored to fellowship with our Maker is another reason to exude joy. Being forgiven for my sins in the past and continued grace in my everyday life, should allow me to offer forgiveness to others and spread this kind of joy. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

In The Mourning

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death . . .” Psalm 23:4

Jesus wept at the death of His friend, even though He knew that at His command, Lazarus would be resurrected. Mourning does not mean that we don’t believe, but it is a natural process of letting go, even if just for a time.

In his book Traveling Light Max Lucado writes, “Why does grief linger? Because you are dealing with more than memories - you are dealing with unlived tomorrows. You’re not just battling disappointment; you’re battling anger . . . Why? Why him? Why now? Why us?”

He suggests that the key truth to stand on is that our God is a good God. Long ago God knew that we each would face the pain of death and He provided a way to soften the pain. He allowed His son to taste death for us, so that in accepting His death on our behalf, we can have hope . . . the hope of eternal life. Lucado explains that two thousand years ago the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus in order that only its shadow might run over us. I think of a shadow as being temporary. Once it passes, we see the light. Our loved one is beholding that light, while we wait on God to restore our soul with hope. Without hope, we are in a jungle with no way out, but seeing the rescue helicopter changes everything. Our surroundings have not changed, but hope has changed everything.

So we mourn, but not as those who have no hope. “And I- in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” Psalm 17:15

Generations

Sometimes, when I can’t decide if I should post about a personal or family matter, I ask myself, “Does it have something to do with seasons?” When I get this resounding , “Yes” it kind of gives me inspiration to move ahead, since I do like to focus is on the seasons of life and the brevity of time.

Recently we hosted a baby shower for my niece. Proud Oma and Uroma (great-grandma) had the special privilege of holding her 50th great-grandchild!


Or was it #51? Either way, one is being held by (granddaughter/mom) Carolyn who has the awesome responsibility, along with her husband, to raise twin boys!

We got together to meet the newest little members . . .

enjoy some food . . .

and help them out with some practical gifts. . .

Isn't that what 'being family' is about?

Happy Birthday, Doris

One thing is certain . . .


We will never run out of things to say!


How could I not help but think about you when I saw this card! After walking together for more than 20 years now, I know that we'll never run out of things to say. When we were young ( hey, barely out of our 20's) we exchanged babysitting, we saw our youngest ones off to Kindergarten, discussed teachers, report cards, school activites and took turns helping out at the school. We saw our kids go through their teens, birthday parties, carpools, baketball games, applications for post secondary education and the letting go that came with that. Then came the weddings - each of the six weddings were "planned" as we walked. And now the grandkids! Our lives keep changing, but there is a constant that keeps us going without a lot of explanation.

It's so good to have a friend to walk with!
I wish you a most special day, my friend!

The Fruit of the Spirit - Love

The Beth Moore Study explains the different kinds of love and takes you through a more in-depth look at the love that is referred to in the Fruit of the Spirit. Obviously I can’t, and don’t even want to, re-create a whole study here but I want to highlight what most impressed me about this agape love that is poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

This is a love that is not necessarily based on a feeling. It is also not based on a relationship built on common interests. It supersedes the kind of love that is reciprocal, shared or earned. It is an unselfish response fueled by a need.

We tend to romanticize agape love by reading what is referred to as the Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13), at weddings and so forth, but probably understand a little more about it when we begin celebrating Anniversaries. It says that:
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, and always perseveres. Love never fails.

I am incapable of this kind of love! My heart condemns me and convinces me that I do not have perfect love. But the Bible says that God is greater than our hearts, and He can and wants to pour His love into us, so that we can be the vessels of His love shown to others. The suggestion in the study is that when I face a situation where love does not come naturally, I need to:
- admit that I lack the love needed
- ask for divine leading and help
- consider how Jesus would respond
- act in obedience

In the end, this causes a chain reaction of a far greater feeling and far greater results than any human attempts could administer. God is able to tender us towards the difficult person and we ourselves are blessed by being a vessel that He could use to show His love. There may be a situation where it is impossible to even face a person who has wronged us, but we can begin by praying for that person on a regular basis and wait to see what God will do.
The final words in the love chapter remind me that love never fails. It is never in vain and never without effect, even if I don’t see the results.