Say Good-bye, Winter

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Love Series: Day 16

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, 

for the smile is the beginning of love." 

~Mother Teresa

Love is the whisper of earth
When the stars pale
And the dawn winds hail 
A new days birth...
The laughing abandon,
The shining glee 
Of the fountain's leap
And the headlong sweep
Of the sea...

Love is the memory

Time cannot kill, 
The cherished tune,
Gay and absurd...
And the music unheard...
The silence that trembles
And seems to fill
The heart when the song 
Of a bird 
Is still... 



Love is God's plenty...
An endless measure
Of gifts that descend
In sun and in shower
On mountain and plain...
The quickening rain,
And the storied treasure
At the rainbow's end...





Love is the coming alive
of a golden bush 
That cannot wait for spring... 
Blossoms that bring
Joy to the day 
And honey to the hive...

The call of the hills 
and the answering ocean 
When everything's a maze 
and a blaze 
of color and motion...
Torrents of wonder, of waves, 
and wings... 
And the whole sky sings...

But first and last...
Time present, time future, 
and time past... 
Past all belief and thinking of...
Earth beneath  
and heaven above 
Beginning and ending...  
forever new...
Love is you...~Louis Untermeyer

What a wonderful ending to the week. The sunset was just gorgeous this evening. Beautiful...

Love Series: Day 15

Happy Valentine's Day!

       

Cherish Your Love



Tenderly, tenderly
Cherish your love,
Share it in joy and in sorrow.

Love is the essence, the answer, the all---

Gift of each glowing tomorrow. ~ Doris Chalma Brock

Love Series: Day 14

"I believe that life is given us so we may grow in love..." 





I believe that we can live on earth according to the teachings of Jesus, and that the greatest happiness will come to the world when man obeys His commandment "Love ye one another."

I believe that we can live on earth according to the fulfillment of God's will, and that when the will of God is done on earth as it is done in heaven, every man will love his fellow men, and act towards them as he desires they should act towards him. I believe that the welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all.

I believe that life is given us so we may grow in love, and I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and fragrance of a flower---the Light in my darkness, the Voice in my silence.

I believe that only in broken gleams has the Sun of Truth yet shone upon men. I believe that love will finally establish the Kingdom of God on earth, and that the Cornerstones of that Kingdom will be Liberty, Truth, Brotherhood, and Service.
~Helen Keller

What beautifully written words from someone who could not see and could not hear and could not speak. But through the love of God she could communicate to the world. She could feel. 

May "we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God...but also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (Romans 5:2-5)

Love Series: Day 13

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. to melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. ~Kahlil Gibran



Thankful love...

Everyday you should be thankful that you have someone to put their arms around you. We all long for those arms to wrap around us and make everything all right. 





God is that Someone...





He is there to console us at all times. His daily blessing can rain down on you wherever and whenever you need it. You just have to recognize it. God's love is unchanging, everlasting, and abounding. 













"For we have great joy and consolation in thy love." (Philemon 1:7)

Love Series: Day 12

"The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well." ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Unconditional love...
Wow, when I began looking into this phrase unconditional love I hadn't fully prepared myself for all the questions that came with it. I thought hunting down a good definition would get me started and that would be it. That didn't happen. I started reading different articles, literature, and philosophies on the subject. Believe me there are various philosophies on love out there just depends on which one you subscribe to. 

Diverse views exist everywhere in this world. 

However, despite all the inconsistencies, I think love isn't as complicated as everyone would have you believe. I am a Christian, so my view of unconditional love is based on the ultimate sacrifice and gift of love...Jesus Christ. 

What does God say about unconditional love? "All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant" (Psalm 25:10). God wants us to love someone no matter what they have done in their past or what they have done to you. 

Does God love us with unconditional love? God's love is not based on anything you have done or will ever do. In fact, "God is not proud. He will have us even though we have shown that we prefer everything else to Him" (C.S. Lewis). His love...His amazing, unconditional love was poured out on Calvary. He wants us to never stop forgiving, loving and helping others. God wants you to be His vessel. Continue to let Him fill you with His love. He will use your forgiveness and love to change someone else's life. Remember you are loved, today and always, no strings attached. "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy" (Titus 3:4-5).

Love Series: Day 11

"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead."  ~Oscar Wilde

Keep love in your heart...

Keep it simple. Love does not have to be difficult. It does not have to be fussy or elaborate. Love just needs to be genuine. Love from the heart.

"Greater love has no one than this, 

that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Love Series: Day 10

"I have decided to stick with love. 

Hate is too great a burden to bear." 

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Love completely...

Relationships come in many forms. We have different love for one another in each one of those relationships.  You can have love for friends and family. There is romantic love. You have love for God. As a Christian you have love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Sometimes, however, relationships get strained and people can hurt each other. Suddenly the love has turned into something dark and ugly. When relationships get broken and the love has slipped away only God can help. 

He can help you fill the negativity with love again. You should want to be filled with God's love. You need your spirit to be healthy and your heart open to love completely. Be God's vessel and be filled with love.




 "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." 

(1 John 4:12)

Love Series: Day 9

"Above all else, know this: Be prepared at all times for the gifts of God and be ready always for new ones. For God is a thousand times more ready to give than we are to receive." 
~Meister Eckhart



Love daily...

God's love is shown everyday. You have to make the effort to look for it everyday. He is there always ready to love you. He shows his love in the magnificent sunrise, the beautiful songs the birds sing, the colorful patterns in the leaves, the brilliant hues of a blooming flower, the spring breeze floating swiftly in the air, and the fiery sunset. You have to take the time to receive the love and acknowledge that God loves you. He does. He will never stop loving you. 

"I love You, O Lord, my strength. 

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. 

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:1-2)

Love Series: Day 8

"God loves each of us as if there 

were only one of us." ~St. Augustine

Love yourself...

You are a unique individual created specifically by God. You are a remarkable piece to the puzzle. God created each one of us with certain abilities, talents, and gifts. But more importantly He created you with a heart to give love. God doesn't make mistakes. We are all different. However, we are all linked together. Everyone has a special gift, whatever that gift may be, and it is a necessary part of the family...
God's family.

No one person is more important than another in this family. God loves all His children the same and..."every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17). So, you should love yourself. Because you... are a gift!

Love Series: Day 7

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." ~Amy Carmichael

Love is doing...

You cannot sit around talking about your love for God you must show it. It is more than just saying loving words. Your love has to be put into action. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get you hands dirty? Are you ready to tie those shoe laces and get your feet moving? You must commit completely with your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Loving completely involves your whole entire being. God needs you to give your time and energy. Do for others when they need it. Take dinner to a sick friend, watch a young mother's children so she can have a break, or help build a house for a deserving family. 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?" Then 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." (Matthew 25:37-40)

Again it's time to put your thinking into action. It is your faith in God that really matters. Others will see your faith in action before they will see your faith in heaven.

Love Series: Day 6

"To love and be loved 

is to feel the sun 

from both sides." 

~David Viscott

Your heart is unique. It pumps life through your body 24 hours a day without you consciously thinking about it. You can 't see it, but you feel it beating inside your chest.

The Lord says you can tell what is inside a person's heart by listening to what the person says does. The heart is a great indicator of character. It can open your eyes to other people's feelings. A person who gives encouragement or speaks kind and trustful words has an easily discernible character. You may not be able to  literally see their heart, but you can feel it. You can see and hear what it produces...Love.

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." (Hebrews 6:10)

Love Series: Day 5

"Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works, as for the love with which they are done." ~Anonymous



I was reading and article last night entitled "Risky Love" by Carolyn Larsen. The title is probably not what you would think by just reading it. As I mentioned in the last post it is easier to love people that have the same ideas and beliefs that you do. Usually your family and friends fall effortlessly into that category. But what about others--- acquaintances, co-workers, or individuals in your community?

So what is risky love?
 
Well...Loving people that have different or opposing views from you is one definition of risky love. These views can range from anything on religion and politics to education and social issues. How do you relate to someone who is different? How do I relate to someone who is a non-Christian? The answer is pretty simple. I can't. I can't do it alone without God's help. It is hard. People who are different make you uncomfortable and uneasy. They are difficult to approach. And even harder to love. But God gives you ability to do just that...Love everyone! "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)

Love Series: Day 4

"We are all called upon to do small things with great love." ~Mother Teresa

Love is kind... 

Maybe there are times when you don't feel like being very kind. You may not show it or verbalize it, but the thought may cross your mind. It might happen at work, at the store, or on the road. Someone does something that really frustrates you. You have to make a decision. Being kind when you don't feel like it is a choice. A tough choice. Bad days are God's little opportunities to show you how to love. Love everyone... even those that seem unlovable. God is there during that bad day to fill you with kindness and help you through. Pray and be ready to listen. 

"Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, 

but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." 

(1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Love Series: Day 3

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~Ephesians 4:2

Love is patient....

Patient? Me, patient? I'd like to think I have patience...most of the time. But family and friends can get on your nerves. Their annoying little habits can eat at you. You can lose it. Control? We just don't want to give it up. We want to control how things are done. And it usually needs to be done...yesterday. 

So we bark orders. Go faster....go slower...Pick that up....Put that down...Be quiet...Speak up...Do it like this...No not like that... Here let me do it...

Real love is patient. God's love is patient. God love doesn't have control issues. His love doesn't see the faults. He just patiently loves. He loves us all faults and all.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,

it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love Series: Day 2

"Friendship is the most 

enduring, the most 

basic part of love." 

~Ed Cunningham

Another example of God's love is the love between friends.

Friends are the family you choose. So it makes them extra special. The true friend keeps your secrets, feels your pain, lifts you up, and dries your tears. They experience the hard times as well as the good times. Friends laugh and cry together. Through the ups and downs a truly close friend stands by you ready to conquer the next challenge. And sometimes they know exactly when to give you that much needed hug. Giving and receiving love is essential. Friendship is a blessing, and friends are a gift from God. 

"Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. 

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)