Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Mission

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deut. 6:5

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.
1 cor. 13:4-7

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34

this is going to sound cocky, but i don't mean for it to come across that way. i have a great deal of head knowledge about the Bible; i can quote scripture with the best of 'em. if people need to know where to find a verse, they come and ask me. (for which i'm honored, and surprised.) it's a priority in my life to know God's Word - in my heart and in my mind. but lately i've been struck with the question, 'what am i doing with all this knowledge?' can others see that i'm a christian thru my actions? am i loving others with a passion that portraits Christ? what am i saying when i say nothing at all? and who do i know that may have never heard me speak of my Savior, my Lover, my very Life?

too often my mouth is filled with complaints, harsh words, put-downs, negative criticisms, slams, hypocrisy, slander, gossip, and just plain filth. and sometimes denise so graciously points out my quick tongue. i love having a close friend who is willing to speak some truth into my life,(tho i may not enjoy the chastising when it's being administered). that is a larger blessing that i could ever express. (thanks be to the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for accountability partners.) so i guess my challenge is to consciously make an effort to love those around me with the love my Friend has lavished on me, that others may see His grace and melt away their selfishness.

most precious Jesus,
it is an honor and privilege to know You in an intimate way. i love waking up in the morning and You are my first thought. and then comes the praise song filling my heart with gratitude and awe of who You are, and how You are creating me to be more like You. let me be a light to shine Your love. may You send others into my life whom You need to touch. let me be faithful to You. i adore You, Jesus. i love You. my heart swells to be called Your beloved daughter. humbly i bow to Your majesty, Your grace, Your mercy. my heart shall say, 'blessed be Your name.' may You continue to cleanse me from the muck which wages war within me. thru You i am more than a conqueror.
in Your precious name, Jesus ~ Amen.


*Nancy and Yawon *Leslie *Casey

Friday, October 15, 2004

Filling Needs

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matt. 25:34-40

so it's been too long since i last updated, but i'm back - and doing well.

there has been a question resting on my heart the last week, 'what needs am i fulfilling in others?' somewhere in that statement is the heart of my life's purpose. when i am needed - or being used - am i most content with life. often i don't feel content with where i am or what i'm doing. perhaps i'm lacking in peace - since peace and contentment seem to be hand and hand.

so what am i doing about it? i have a young friend whom i feel compelled to 'disciple'. i met with her this week. it was good to be in contact again. she's going thru some difficult times - learning the importance of not procrastinating, caring for others, and living out her faith. and aren't those the heart of Christianity - when our reason for being pro-active is Jesus, caring for others w/ His love, and striving to lead others into a deeper relationship with Him?

Jesus,
my peace, my contentment - You are the reason i matter to anyone. as i continue to grow in the knowledge of You, i rejoice that You value me enough to be You to others. may You guide me to those whom You needs Your touch. i wanna be used by You. i love You and desire to matter for You. shine thru me. You've blessed me in so many ways - let me bless You in return. i love You so much.
in Your Name ~ Amen


*Laurie Beth Jones *Jim *Dave