Love is .... Day 3

On Day 2, LOVE was shown to me by a dear friend. She is someone that I can count on when I need prayer, when I need a listening ear, one that gives me encouragement and points me to Christ! She had asked me to attend a Women's Conference with her, through some unfortunate circumstances she could not attend. She told me to see if I could find someone to go with me. I knew who to ask and luckily she wanted to go!! We haven't had any bff time in a long while, so this was perfect for us. (you have to know we usually have to plan things weeks in advance because of our schedules...so this was totally God!!)

We were only able to attend the Friday night event, due to our schedules, yet it was such a blessing to me. I was able to have a girls night out, worship the Lord, and see Lisa Welchel!! Don't know her?? Did you ever watch Facts of Life?? She was Blair!! Anyway, what a hoot she was!! The event was about Connections: Woman to Woman, she mentioned how some of our friends are like Teflon and thing just slide right off of them and nothing sticks. And then there are a few that are live Velcro, they stick to you, just the way you are....they are there through the thick and thin of life's ups & downs. Ones that you can be honest with and they can be honest with you, no matter what they say to you, you can handle it coming from them. I got to thinking about all that and I realize that I have a couple of friends like that and what a blessing they are in my life. 

On the other hand I was convicted in a way....

I asked myself some questions.....

Am I the type of friend I would want to have?
Am I the Teflon type of friend, one that just listens to others and then let it just slip off or go in one ear and out the other??
Am I one that is like Velcro, allowing what my friends say stick to me, and hold true in what I do or say? Can I be trusted?
Am I one that says, I will pray for you.... and never prays?
Am I one that gives of myself to my friends?
Do I show my friends love like Jesus would want me to show?
Do I put my friends needs above my own, or am I wallowing in my own problems?
Do I have a pity party when I don't think my friends are really friends at all?
Do I only call on certain friends, when I need something??
Do I tend to avoid my friends when they become needy?

I won't give you my answers to them, but I will tell you I am convicted by several. I know that God has blessed me with some wonderful friends and I am very thankful for them. Friendship is a sacrifice and it can be hard sometimes. But I know that just as in a marriage, at a job, or in our daily lives things get tough. And I know Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but I want to take today to thank God for giving me friends that I can count on! May I not forget to have a friend I need to be a friend!! 

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

Are you a Teflon friend or a Velcro friend??

Love is .... Day 2

In my last post I mentioned getting my priorities in the right order, as God would have them to be. My first priority is my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I must do all that I can to be in His will. The only way that I can draw closer to Him is to get into His Word, hide His Word in my heart, talk with him throughout my day,  live each day to praise Him,  to bring honor and glory to His Name. 

Just last week our Women's Bible Study began and it is exactly what I need right now!! We are doing

By Beth Moore

So far I am seeing what God has and wants for me. I have some issues/struggles and most have been  revealed by past Bible studies and for some reason, I am still battling some of the same ol' junk!!! (I may share them one day). I am sick of it! I want to get well!! I want to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give me!! Please pray for me as dig into His word, and focus on what He wants for me. I want to keep HIM on top of my priority list, and as I do, He will get the glory in the rest of my priorities. 

from Believing God:

God is who he says He is.

God can do what He says He can do.

I am who God says I am.

I can do all things through Christ.

God's Word is alive and active in me.

I'm believing God!!

Love is.....

Believe it or not its February. January has come and gone. Not sure why it chose to fly away so quickly, but it did. My being intentional on some things for 2012 have went by the way side. And I do not want February to get away from me.

Last year my real life blogger friend did a series for Love Month and I loved how she and her family showed God's love to others every day. I want to put a little different twist along with her idea from last year....(hope you don't mind D)

Along with my word CONTENT for 2012 God has shown me that I need to get my priorities in order. So along with the Love Month idea, I am going to attempt to get them in order as God would have me to do. Of course my relationship with my Heavenly Father should always be at the top of my list, unfortunately, that is not always the case. I praise HIM that His mercies are new every morning!! (Can I get a Hallelujah?!)

The rest of this post will feature another blogger, Lori from Always Learning. God led me to the post and I was so convicted about my second priority, MY HUSBAND. Sometimes life gets so busy, that I fail the love of  my life.  I loved how she went through the scripture, and stepped on my toes and pricked my heart. I appreciate her for allowing me to feature her post to begin my Love Month! Thanks again, Lori!!

 

A gift from God!!



Because You Love Him

A challenge came to me...It is to be entitled Imagine The Impossibilities.  A bunch of women are taking the challenge to do something they think is impossible.  I was encouraged to write about loving our husbands.

  I Corinthians 13 gives the best definition of what loving your husband looks like ~

Love is patient ~  Are you patient with your husband and allowing God to work in his life instead of nagging, manipulating, and controlling him?

Love is kind ~  Are you kind to your husband and treating him better than you treat others?

Love is not jealous ~ Are you jealous of your husband, maybe when he goes golfing with the guys while you are stuck at home?  Or do you encourage him and are happy for  him when he gets to have fun and do something he enjoys?

Love does not brag and is not arrogant  ~  Do you respect your husband's ideas and plans?  Do you share your ideas with him in a humble way?

Love does not act unbecomingly ~  Do you put on your best behavior for your husband? This means no pouting, yelling, or silent treatment to get your way.

Loves does not seek its own ~ Do you want your husband's best?  Do you seek to please him and make him happy?

Love does not provoke ~ Do you act gently with your husband?  Do you allow him his opinions and support them, even if you disagree with them?  Do you honor him?

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered ~ Do you hold onto grudges or do you forgive quickly and easily as Christ forgave you?

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth!

Love bears all things ~ All those habits that you don't like of his and that annoy you, you bear them, because you love him.  You put up with his in-laws, friends, and the toilet seat up, because you love him.

Love believes all things ~ You believe the best about him.  You know he has faults, but you choose to dwell on his good qualities, because you know everyone has faults and because you love him.

Love hopes all things ~ You hope for the best in him.  You praise him even when he isn't worthy of praise, because you love him.t I have got some work to do!!

Love endures all things ~ You stay married to him until death do you part.  You keep your vows through the good times and the bad, because you love him.

Love never fails ~  Even when you don't "feel" like you love him, you love him because you base your love on a decision and a commitment, not on a feeling.

You love him, because he is your husband and you are commanded by Almighty God to love him.  He is a gift from God to you.  You want to please and obey your Maker and you know His ways are good. 

Imagine The Impossibilities

On Your Heart Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesdays, Domestically Divine,

Gratituesday, , Sweet Shot Tuesday, Tutorial Tuesday, Tuesday Time Out

I don't  know about you, but I am challenged!

Thanks again Lori!!