As a hopeless romantic, I can say that Valentine's Day is a favorite time of year for me. I love seeing all the cards, flowers, and candy lining the aisles of stores. But is that all Valentine's Day should be? A time to do and say all the things that we really should be saying everyday of the year? I hope not.
There is a song on the radio that talks about true love. JJ Heller sings about a pure love that is not polluted by earthly views of beauty, materialism, or a record of rights versus wrongs. This is the kind of love we should be celebrating on Valentine's Day; this kind of love is pure passion.
He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He’s the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night, “Dear God won’t you please
Could you send someone here who will love me?”
Who will love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means
Her office is shrinking a little each day
She’s the woman whose husband has run away
She’ll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner
Then he would’ve stayed
And she says…
Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means
He’s waiting to die as he sits all alone
He’s a man in a cell who regrets what he’s done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
“Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home”
Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said
“I know you’ve murdered and I know you’ve lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you’ll listen, I’ll tell you that I...”
I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
One step forward, two steps back...
So as I posted on Sunday, I have been going through a study "30 days of Jesus". So far, I have completed my study each morning and it has been going really well. Tomorrow is Day 7 and I have begun to look forward to my quiet time each morning (even though waking up at 5 is never easy).
So is it just a coincidence then that over the past few days, I have received two unexpected medical bills (one which is quite large), my student loan payments are increasing next month and it seems I can't walk anywhere or do anything without tripping, dropping something or stubbing a toe? I think not. In James it reads "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance"(verses 2-3). I know that my trials may not have been exactly what James was writing about, but the idea still fits. The little annoyances of life have the power to steal our joy and peace IF we ALLOW them to do so but they can't gain that power on their own.
The dictionary says perseverance means a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. So that is what I intend to do. Continue to hide the Word of God in my heart, move towards a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father and hold tight to the joy and peace that God gives to those that trust in His will. The rest, whatever it may be, will just have to find someone else to annoy.
So is it just a coincidence then that over the past few days, I have received two unexpected medical bills (one which is quite large), my student loan payments are increasing next month and it seems I can't walk anywhere or do anything without tripping, dropping something or stubbing a toe? I think not. In James it reads "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance"(verses 2-3). I know that my trials may not have been exactly what James was writing about, but the idea still fits. The little annoyances of life have the power to steal our joy and peace IF we ALLOW them to do so but they can't gain that power on their own.
The dictionary says perseverance means a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. So that is what I intend to do. Continue to hide the Word of God in my heart, move towards a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father and hold tight to the joy and peace that God gives to those that trust in His will. The rest, whatever it may be, will just have to find someone else to annoy.
One step forward...two steps back... I think NOT! This girl is choosing something else. :)
Monday, February 7, 2011
I am going to give myself an ulcer...
So I graduated in December with my MA from Michigan State. Woo-hoo!
BUT NOW....... it is killing me that I can't figure out what I want to do next. The program that I really want to do, isn't offered anywhere near here and my second choice has a deadline of March 1st but I don't think I can take the GRE and get scores back that fast (let alone study so I get a score I would be happy with!). ARG!!!!
So I am left considering settling for a program that I am okay with (third choice) but not really excited about or putting in a late application for my second choice program. I don't think I could possibly do the second because I just feel anything turned in late is unprofessional and would be a huge black mark on my application before it even gets there. Oh my goodness...I am so confused...and my stomach hurts...here comes the ulcer! ;)
BUT NOW....... it is killing me that I can't figure out what I want to do next. The program that I really want to do, isn't offered anywhere near here and my second choice has a deadline of March 1st but I don't think I can take the GRE and get scores back that fast (let alone study so I get a score I would be happy with!). ARG!!!!
So I am left considering settling for a program that I am okay with (third choice) but not really excited about or putting in a late application for my second choice program. I don't think I could possibly do the second because I just feel anything turned in late is unprofessional and would be a huge black mark on my application before it even gets there. Oh my goodness...I am so confused...and my stomach hurts...here comes the ulcer! ;)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
30 days with Jesus
I have recently started a journey of 30 days with Jesus. I have a desire to fall in love all over again with my Savior and this seemed like a fitting starting point. For anyone that would like to join me, please do so.
Here is the first week.
1 Jesus' coming is predicted. Isaiah 7:14;9:1-9; Luke 1:26-38.
2 Jesus is born. Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 2:1-20
3 Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist Matthew 3:1-17
4 Jesus begins his public ministry. Matthew 4:1-17; Luke 4:14-44
5 Jesus calls his disciples. Luke 5:1-11;6:12-16; John 1:35-51
6 Jesus talks to a Pharisee and Samarian. John 3:1-4:42
7 Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1-7:29
I started this Friday so I am on day 3. Anyone that would like, can easily catch up and do this along side of me! I will post the rest of the schedule in the next few days.
Week #2 of 30 days of Jesus
8 Jesus heals people in need Matthew 8:1-9:8
9 Jesus tangles with the Pharisees. Matthew 12:1-45
10 Jesus teaches his disciples using parables. Matthew 13:1-52
11 Jesus demonstrates his power over nature. Mark 6:45-52, Luke 8:22-25
12 Jesus heals many. Mark 5:1-43
13 Jesus feeds 5,000 followers. John 6:1-15
14 Jesus is identified as the Christ. Matthew 16:13-17:13
Here is the first week.
1 Jesus' coming is predicted. Isaiah 7:14;9:1-9; Luke 1:26-38.
2 Jesus is born. Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 2:1-20
3 Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist Matthew 3:1-17
4 Jesus begins his public ministry. Matthew 4:1-17; Luke 4:14-44
5 Jesus calls his disciples. Luke 5:1-11;6:12-16; John 1:35-51
6 Jesus talks to a Pharisee and Samarian. John 3:1-4:42
7 Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1-7:29
I started this Friday so I am on day 3. Anyone that would like, can easily catch up and do this along side of me! I will post the rest of the schedule in the next few days.
Week #2 of 30 days of Jesus
8 Jesus heals people in need Matthew 8:1-9:8
9 Jesus tangles with the Pharisees. Matthew 12:1-45
10 Jesus teaches his disciples using parables. Matthew 13:1-52
11 Jesus demonstrates his power over nature. Mark 6:45-52, Luke 8:22-25
12 Jesus heals many. Mark 5:1-43
13 Jesus feeds 5,000 followers. John 6:1-15
14 Jesus is identified as the Christ. Matthew 16:13-17:13
There goes a crazy lady!!!!
It has been a while since I have posted because it seems the past weeks have been plain old crazy. We just finished exams and semester grades at the high school, I gained a new and exciting opportunity to work with the School Improvement Team as the chairperson, our house was in disarray after the holiday hurricane (it still isn't as clean as I would like) and we started a new format for the Wednesday night program at church which has me teaching bible lessons to children kindergarten through fourth grade each week. PHEW--- like I said life has been crazy!
So how do I find some peace and calm in my day? 1) Start the morning with my bible study time. While I am not always the best at making this part of my day my # 1 priority (sleeping an extra 20 minutes sounds so good...) lately I haven't had any trouble. Feeding my soul with the Word of God brings a supernatural peace to my morning no matter what busy schedule follows. 2) Listen to Christian music in my car. While I only have about 15 minutes of drive time to work, those 15 minutes listening to music that reminds me of a God that loves, forgives, and desires to know me is so precious. Most of the time I can't help but blasting the music high and singing my heart out. Sometimes, tears fill my eyes and I can't help but lift a hand to the Lord that gave his life for me. I am sure that people who drive by me, think I must be having some type of mental breakdown or crazy fit but it's quite the opposite. God is taking this crazy lady and renewing her spirit minute by minute.
So how do I find some peace and calm in my day? 1) Start the morning with my bible study time. While I am not always the best at making this part of my day my # 1 priority (sleeping an extra 20 minutes sounds so good...) lately I haven't had any trouble. Feeding my soul with the Word of God brings a supernatural peace to my morning no matter what busy schedule follows. 2) Listen to Christian music in my car. While I only have about 15 minutes of drive time to work, those 15 minutes listening to music that reminds me of a God that loves, forgives, and desires to know me is so precious. Most of the time I can't help but blasting the music high and singing my heart out. Sometimes, tears fill my eyes and I can't help but lift a hand to the Lord that gave his life for me. I am sure that people who drive by me, think I must be having some type of mental breakdown or crazy fit but it's quite the opposite. God is taking this crazy lady and renewing her spirit minute by minute.
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