Living the Agape Life

"Let all that you do be done in love."-1 Corinthians 16:14

Wow.  The love Paul is referring to is agape love--the most selfless form of love.  I've been thinking about this verse in the last month or so, and reevaluating some things.  I started to make a conscious effort to love others--especially my family, which I think are truly the hardest people to love, but also the ones that matter the most.  I think how we treat our families says a lot about us.  Additionally, I started to notice all the times I don't love others, or, don't want to love.  I see that sometimes I even debate doing or saying that which I know isn't the most loving.  Let's face it, people can be annoying (again, mostly family).  Thus, it's pretty easy to be annoyed.  I generally make an effort to be understanding of people, and try not to respond in like manner when it's obvious someone is having a bad day.  I really hate that feeling of tension that creeps up between me and another person when neither one of us want to give in and admit we're wrong or just being inconsiderate.  To love is to let one's defenses down; to forgive; to admit we're wrong; to not always have to be right.  "A soft answer turns away wrath."  How true it is.  I have many thoughts on this subject.  This just scratches the surface. 

One thing I know--we can't love as much as God does, but we can love like He does.  I want to learn how to love!  That is the desire of my heart.


Check out this song by John G. Elliott, "Did You Learn How to Love?"  One of the questions of my heart....
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/did-you-learn-how-to-love/id503806226?i=503806228

Smoothies, Cyanide and God

I thought I'd share a few recent discoveries/things I've observed:

• A few moments ago I finished off a delicious smoothie.  The ingredients: 1/2 banana, vanilla yogurt, a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries and 1/4ish of an avocado.  Oh, and, I threw in the avocado pit.  Yep.  True story.  It was so good!  p.s....don't listen to naysayers who claim the pit contains cyanide....well, it does contain cyanide, but it's supposed to be a kind that fights cancer.
• I've noticed that when I don't eat (meaning, only on liquids for a few days), my olfactory is quite sensitive.  While walking about our neighborhood this evening, I kept noticing various smells.  A few people must have been grilling...yumm.  Someone was doing laundry, but I wondered why I could smell the fresh, wonderful scent of the detergent so well.  Maybe they ignore washing machines and stick to the outdoors.  Suddenly, a putrid aroma shocked me.  I almost walked into a dead squirrel that was being swarmed by flies.  Really gross.  There were other things I noticed that had nothing to do with scent.  A small, paperback book lay discarded on the street, the cover intelligible at first glance and its pages were a sorry sight due to the rain.  I looked closer. Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance was the title, by Tony Dungy.  Hmm.  I continued on, encountering a peculiar grouping of (trash?) items that ended up there on accident.  A pen had been broken into a myriad of pieces.  A jar of salsa lay nearby.  Curious.  But then, there was the yard bordered by bluebonnets.  [Bluebonnets never fail to make me happy] 
• Much of my day was spent on the PrayFortWorth website, which, btw, you should check out!! Still needs work, but the fact that we finally have a functional site is agreeable progress, indeed. :-) I had a few moments of panic, however, when I made the author bio photo I was adding to the homepage HUGE.  It was like her face was the background image.  Oops.  :-/  
• I read the book of Esther last week.  There is much in Esther that surprised me and that struck me in ways it never had before.  Here are a few verses from the 9th chapter:

  Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. ²  The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. ³ All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. ⁴ For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.

  This really got me.  Just think.  How often are we intimidated by others who are less powerful than ourselves?  Satan is an example of this.  Luke 10:19: "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."  Yet, we've all had times where we've sat in fear of the devil and his tactics.  He has no power!  The Jews weren't necessarily stronger or more mighty than their enemies (although, I don't know, maybe they were), yet when the fear of the Jews fell on them, they were made powerless.  Be careful who or what you fear.  Esther is a good reminder to me of Him who is truly in control in this world.  We need have no fear.
  
  Yep, this is how my brain tends to work.  Random ideas from all over.  :-) There's lots more I could have shared, but, for now, that's all. 
  
  Smoothies --> Cyanide --> Smells --> Football coaches --> my future --> websites --> Esther --> Fear --> No fear  --> God. Yep.                                                                                                                                                     

  p.s. my brother is making a hamburger, and it smells soooo good.  There are moments when hamburgers are the very best thing in the world. Peace and joy! 

Weeds

My heart is in His hands.  It's the best place to be.

Instead of going to a movie with friends (October Baby, which, btw, I've been told is an amazing story), I spent part of Sunday afternoon gardening.  Ok, not really gardening.   More like, I went outside and circled our house.  After a moment, I knew it was time--time to finally plant a garden!  I began to prepare the soil, pulling up weeds and unwanted grass with my bare hands.  It was truly a lovely time.  I've hesitated for about two years in the gardening department for two main reasons.  One, lack of time and energy.  Two, because I had no idea where to start...even after quite a bit of time perusing the internet for planting tips and tricks.  So, I decided I should just jump in and see what happens.  I thought, "Even if I'm a little late in sowing seed, it's time.  This garden is going to be fruitful."  I'm excited!

I was almost disappointed that I didn't go spend some time with such quality people, but I needed some time.  Even though I'm an introvert, I sometimes forget that I require time alone in order to think, recharge and reconnect with God and be reminded of who He wants me to be.  As I yanked at the weeds, I realized that my heart has even more weeds than the earth I was working.  Struck by this very simple idea, I prayed, "God, weed my heart as I weed this ground." My heart so needed communion with God on that cool, spring day.  May my heart and spirit be fertile soil for all that He desires to do in me and through me.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ²  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." -John 15:1-11