Wonder of His Presence

 

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,

    to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

    and by your will they were created

    and have their being.” 

Revelation 4:11

2021: love, like, maybe ...

 I trust you had a fabulous Monday and that your week is off to a great start

Here we are on day two of our LOVE journey

And today’s topic is surrounding that very word – LOVE

But, as shared in a quote yesterday, ‘there is no easier word’ than LOVE

 When I was first dating [many, many years ago], I had a boyfriend who was Hispanic

And, whenever he wanted to say ‘I love you’, he would say ‘Te Quiero’

There are many dialects and influences to the Spanish language –

And some people do use that phrase to say ‘I love you’

Some others use ‘te adoro’ and others use ‘te amo’

Therefore, any time my boyfriend would use ‘Te quiero’ to say ‘I love you’,

I would point out to him that saying ‘te quiero’ and saying ‘te amo’ were not the same

Spanish is not my primary language – I learned it in school

However, I will try my best to explain this as relates to my situation

The phrase ‘te quiero’ comes from the verb ‘querer’ – to want

While the phrase ‘te adoro’ come from the verb ‘adorar’ – to adore

And the final phrase ‘te amo’ comes from the verb ‘amar’ – to love

Very different meanings if taken at face value and with literal interpretation.

 

Hindsight being 20/20, I believe that individual was stating what he truly felt –

And what he was truly saying was, ‘I want you’

Renowned poet Maya Angelou is quoted as saying, 

          “If someone shows you who they are … BELIEVE THEM!”

I am teasing but being honest at the same time & we are still acquaintances to this day

But, wanting someone and loving someone are two completely different things

                                                 

Now – I am not sharing all of this to give a lesson in grammar

I am sharing it to illustrate a point –

‘Love’ does not mean the same thing to all people – linguistically or emotionally

And I believe a great many people have been tripped-up and hurt because of this

Therefore, it is so important to really think about what love means to you;

It is equally important to understand what love means to someone else;

Whether you are saying ‘I love you’ or whether those words are being spoken to you

It could be 'love', it could be 'like', or it could be something else entirely

 

Have a Blessed Day!

FATHER'S DAY 2020

Happy Father’s Day!

I have been out of commission – at least with respect to writing – for some time

Still trying to process so many emotions

However, I could not let this day pass without honoring all of the fathers

And especially my fathers – heavenly and earthly

This year, 2020, it has been a whirlwind: with COVID-19, economic unrest, social unrest

This is a year which will be remembered – and likely analyzed for years to come

Yet, with all the challenges, the uncertainty, the pain and the tremendous loss,

There have been two notable constants – my Heavenly Father and my Dad

Both have been there for me in the most trying of times

Both have encouraged me when I was weak

Both have comforted me when I was in pain … while I am in pain

I am overwhelmed with gratitude and honor

 

To my Heavenly Father – I never could make it without You LORD 

You are a Faithful God and a Loving Father

My eyes look to You from where comes my strength

 

To my earthly Dad – I am almost speechless [and I am never short for words J]

As I look at some of the most critical moments of my life recently –

You have been there IN SUCH A HUGE WAY!

My eyes are filled with tears of joy and thankfulness even as I think on those moments

 

To all the Fathers out there today – Happy Father’s Day!

Today I honor all of you amazing men who lead and love in spectacular fashion –

To those who are fathers biologically and those who choose to be father figures,

Your strength, wisdom, compassion, generosity and sense of humor MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Thank You!

 

Proverbs 20:7 speaks of the man, the father of great character and notes:

‘The righteous man walks  in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.

 

The Message Version of the same verse notes –

‘God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.’

 

You are ESSENTIAL – all you fathers, grandfathers, uncles, pastors and mentors

You are critical to healthy families and to healthy communities

Today you are honored and applauded.

Thank you for all you do and for who you are ...

  

Happy Father’s Day!

a legacy of faith

Good Morning Friends

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Many will be celebrating this day a bit different today … in the midst of COVID-19

However, I have always celebrated it a bit different

Today is my Nana’s birthday!

I still reflect with fondness the days that I spent with her – helping in the kitchen

I was always right up under my grandparents when we went to visit

My Nana was born in 1906 and went home to heaven when I was ten years old

And, while it doesn’t seem I had a great deal of time with her,

She is a very big part of the reason I have a firm foundation of faith

She taught me what it was to fear the LORD –

Not to be afraid of Him, but to have a holy reverence for Him

A couple of days ago, I wrote about us trusting the LORD, making note:

HE IS STILL ON THE THRONE – HE IS STILL IN CONTROL

Yesterday was a challenge for me – for reasons I will not go into right now

However, I think back to my Nana who taught me to trust the LORD no matter what

He is Holy and fully trustworthy!

THEREFORE –  I rejoice as Habakkuk the prophet did

 ‘Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights!’ Habakkuk 3:17-19

AND I KNOW –

·         Jesus has prayed for me that my faith would not fail [Luke 22:32]

·         There is a whole heavenly host of witnesses cheering me on and encouraging me to keep running this race [Hebrews 12:1]

I like to believe that my Nana is front-and-center … blessing me from afar

May you also be blessed – today and always

 Happy St. Patrick’s Day

& Happy Birthday Nana!

THANKS GIVING 2019: OUR VETERANS

Happy Monday!

I pray your week is off to a great start;

And there is no better way to start the week –

   than to acknowledge our service men and women for all they do

Today is Veteran’s Day

HOWEVER –  I hold a special place in my heart for our military at all times

I love my country and I love and appreciate those who serve [and have served] selflessly

Being a former military spouse, I know that service comes at a cost

In my post on Memorial Day earlier this year, I noted some of those cost – which often go unseen:

§  There are also those, who live among us, who have also sacrificed their lives
 §  There are those who may not have experienced a loss of physical life;
§  Yet, they are the ones who have suffered the loss of a way of life which they held dear,
§  A life which was compromised while they selflessly served [and still serve] this country.
 §  There are those who have experienced the death of relationships –§  Those who have suffered the painful demise of a marriage … while they served.
§  There are those who have endured the loss of a loved one –§  Where they could not be present because they were off serving this country on foreign soil.
§  There are those who have experienced the loss of a life which they knew –§  Those who have lost health and wealth while serving or upon returning from service to this country
§  There are those who have cried tears that only they and God know about –§  Those who deal with the ongoing emotional trauma of having served.

I am so thankful for those give their all every day –

So that we may enjoy the freedoms we experience on a daily basis.

Today, I honor and celebrate all service members [and their loved ones and families]

I humbly and gratefully say …

Happy Veteran's Day and God Bless!

MEMORIAL DAY 2019

Good Morning Friends & Happy Memorial Day …

Today is a holiday here in the United States - MEMORIAL DAY

It is a day where we reflect upon those who have paid the ultimate price –

It is a day where we remember military service members,

Those who have lost their lives while serving & defending this country

UNDERSTAND –

Ours is not a perfect country – none are

However, I am proud to call this country home, 

Always happy to be back home each time I have traveled outside of the United States

And, while I have not always been an extremely patriotic person,

I have always held a special place of respect for our military service members

Scriptures tells us in John 15:13,

‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

JESUS modeled this behavior – with His sacrifice at the cross for our SALVATION

SERVICE MEMBERS mirror this behavior – with their sacrifice for our SAFETY

EVERYDAY –

I honor my LORD and Savior who gave His all for me

TODAY –

I honor those who gave their lives in service to this country and to protect our liberties

I honor their families who lost their most precious and treasured loved ones

I say … ‘THANK YOU!’

HOWEVER, THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP ON MY HEART TODAY

THE SERVICE MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE STILL LIVING,

BUT WHO HAVE ALSO GIVEN THEIR ALL ...

You see, in addition to those who are no longer with us, who sacrificed their lives

There are also those, who live among us, who have also sacrificed their lives

There are those who may not have experienced a loss of physical life;

Yet, they are the ones who have suffered the loss of a way of life which they held dear,

A life which was compromised while they selflessly served [and still serve] this country.

There are those who have experienced the death of relationships –

Those who have suffered the painful demise of a marriage … while they served.

There are those who have endured the loss of a loved one –

Where they could not be present because they were off serving this country on foreign soil.

There are those who have experienced the loss of a life which they knew –

Those who have lost health and wealth while serving or upon returning from service to this country

There are those who have cried tears that only they and God know about –

Those who deal with the ongoing emotional trauma of having served.

I celebrate all these service members as well today and say … THANK YOU!

May God Bless You All … Happy Memorial Day

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

LOVE: IT IS NOT LIKE ...

Hi Friends!

Only two more days until Valentine’s Day!!!

Can you tell I am just a bit excited?

I love this time of year!

Actually, I love loving on people all the time – any excuse to get creative and do something nice: Buy a gift, cook a meal, bake a cake … you name … I’m all in!

AND, NOW – we continue our discussion on LOVE

YESTERDAY – we talked about how LOVE IS NOT LIKE LUST … AND LUST IS NOT LOVE

TODAY, we will be focusing on the second area of what love is not like –

SO – where do we begin in evaluating what love is not like?

WE START AND END RIGHT HERE … LOVE IS NOT ‘LIKE’

This is important because many people confuse ‘like’ with love

And others think that love is dependent upon ‘like’

So, let’s get the confusion part out of the way first since it is easiest to tackle

If someone says, ‘I like you’ – it is a pretty safe bet to take that at face value

The have communicated they like you – AND THAT IS ALL

If they have not even communicated that … be realistic!

When someone says ‘I love you’ – however – this is a different situation

It can often be taken more serious than ‘I like you’ –

However, there should still be some corresponding action

After all, some people will say anything:

To avoid hurting your feelings, to make you feel good or to get what they want

NOW – I am not one for playing games

I don’t play them with people and my expectation is that they not be played with me

Generally speaking – I say what I mean and I mean what I say

I do not believe in playing cat & mouse, hiding & chasing games.

THAT BEING SAID HOWEVER –

I still hold onto something my pastor has shared in the past: ‘The proof is in the pursuit’

UNDERSTAND THIS –

WHAT WE WANT – WE GO AFTER – WE PURSUE IT

When we want to spend time with someone;

Even if we cannot find an extra minute in our day under normal circumstances;

We will ‘find’ time to be with that individual.

Things and relationships which are a priority to us get prioritized in our lives

If we ‘like’ someone – we might not put forth the additional effort

But if we ‘love’ someone – we are like me with Valentine’s Day – WE ARE ALL IN!

We make a conscious decision and are intentional in ensuring 'talk' with a 'credible walk’

So, ‘LOVE is LOVE’ and ‘LIKE is LIKE’ and we must not get the two confused

This brings us to the second half of our discussion on ‘LOVE IS NOT LIKE…’

AND THIS IS IT ... LOVE IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON ‘LIKE’

I always found it so sweet when I would listen to my pastor talk about how he would get off work and then drive many miles just to spend a short time with the beautiful woman who is now his wife. His story of pursuit was not a situation based upon game-playing; it was a story of commitment and determination. He may not have ‘liked’ the tiredness, the long drive or the distance between them. But he ‘loved’ her and that took precedence. I believe he understood what I am hoping to convey today.

LOVE IS NOT LIKE and LOVE IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON ‘LIKE’

Once you are in a committed relationship [marriage or serious dating] –

It is important to understand that love is not like and it is not dependent upon it

We talked about love yesterday and how love is a choice and a resolve.

This is important because there will not always be romantic feelings

And during these times, it will be necessary to rely upon the unconditional & intentional aspect of love

Love is mature when ‘like’ does not get its way and wants to behave childishly

Love says ‘I’m sorry’ even when it feels it was wronged; 

     when it does not like how it was treated

Love stays when ‘like’ walks out the door.

Love gives even when ‘like’ has faded because it feels the other person is selfish

I may not ‘like’ what someone says or does but that does not determine my ‘love’ for them

I can ‘not like’ you [at the moment] and still ‘love’ you [with a lasting love]

LOVE IS NOT LIKE and LOVE IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON ‘LIKE’

The problem arises when LIKE is made to be equal with LOVE

This is when people start making decisions which have far-reaching consequences

·       I do not like my spouse [today]; therefore, I no longer have to honor the [everyday] love commitment that I made?

·       I do not like the way my mate looks; so I can allow my eyes to wander?

Absolutely Not – 

Love honors even when it does not like; ‘love’ stays focused when ‘like’ is waning or fleeting

In my book, When Storms Rage, when discussing the need to Count the Costs,

I discuss how Jesus set the perfect example for us;

     ‘for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross’ Hebrews 12:2

He possessed a ‘complete and proper perspective which enabled Him to endure…’

The love Jesus had for God and for humanity [for us] overrode the dislike of His situation

Yes – that is an extreme example. 

     Generally speaking, no one  is being asked to lay down their life.

But – you might be required to lay down your pride; 

     Which can be harder [for many of us] than dying.

LOVE IS GREATER THAN LIKE

So, never allow ‘like’ [or dislike] to stand in the way of how you respond in ‘love’

And, never forget LOVE IS NOT LIKE – AND LOVE IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON ‘LIKE’

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening!

Wishing You Much Love …

LOVE: WHERE EROS BEGINS

Good Morning Friends

It is the weekend and I am looking forward to a fabulous one.

Let’s forget the fact that I have already been up for several hours [thank you internal alarm clock]; and the fact that the temperature has dropped roughly 40-degrees since yesterday. Today is going to be a great day! It is perfect for relaxing, reading and writing

So, let’s dive right in!

Yesterday – we talked about EROS LOVE;

How it is romantic and passionate; intensely intimate and sexual

Today – however, I would like to start with PHILEO LOVE

Why? Because I believe there must be great PHILEO LOVE to experience great EROS LOVE

There must be a mutual admiration, respect and love for one another.

Recall how we noted that while EROS LOVE has sexual elements; 

It is not solely defined by sex

EROS LOVE and sex are two different elements. 

And while both can be present in a relationship, they are not equal and interchangeable.

You can have sex which could, in the worst scenario, actually be a violent attack

-        NOT EROS LOVE

You can have sex which is erotic & enticing to one and debasing & humiliating to the other

-        NOT EROS LOVE

You can have sex which falls outside of the originally planned context

-        NOT EROS LOVE [and something we will discuss when we revisit boundaries]

-        Scripture tells us how, ‘a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh … [how] Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.’ Genesis 2:24-25

-        The LORD designed men and women brilliantly and perfectly!

Understand that for every perfect plan of God; the enemy has designed a cheap counterfeit our lives and to keep us from experiencing God’s best for our lives.

I believe this is how EROS LOVE has become synonymous with sex.

It is sexual and passionate but it is not merely or necessarily sex.

True EROS LOVE has its roots in many types of love - which will be discussing in more detail [*As an aside – I think we might end up taking our LOVE discussion through the end of February]

IN ANY EVENT – 

This is why I believe the best EROS LOVE begins in the realm of PHILEO LOVE.

You will recall that phileo love is a mutual love, appreciation and affection.

NOW, the majority of your PHILEO relationships will not develop into EROS love [that would be strange and a discussion for another day]. HOWEVER, the very best EROS relationships must include a foundation of PHILEO LOVE. This is my belief.

When I think about my best friendships, they are based upon:

-        Mutual Respect

-        Mutual Sharing & Growing

-        Trust

-        Vulnerability

-        Generosity

-        Thoughtfulness

-        Selflessness

-        Genuine Feelings of Good Will

-        Honesty; the very truest form, the kind that hurts sometimes but that echoes the sentiments in Proverbs 27:6 which reminds us that even the ‘wounds’ of a friend can be trusted. There is a saying, ‘you shall know the truth and it shall set you free.’ However, I have long been a proponent of the idea that, ‘you shall know the truth and it shall make you mad – long before it sets you free.’ Yet, the best PHILEO relationships embrace this because the intention behind the honesty is never to harm – it is always based on the desire for the other person to experience their best life possible

-        Shared Principles; this is not the same as shared ideas and perspectives. It is however, based upon similar core values. My very best PHILEO relationships are those where we share the same core values and are able to build one another up in faith and based upon godly principles.

This list could go on –

And, what would EROS relationships look like if more had their start and foundation in PHILEO LOVE? What would the divorce rate look like?

Think about your past relationships – EROS relationships;

For the relationships which were not successful and that ended, were there items from our PHILEO relationship list that were lacking?

For the EROS relationship you have currently;

What items on our list play a role in the effectiveness of the relationship?

What items on the list, if present in greater measure, could make the relationship even better?

EROS LOVE – 

IT IS A LOT MORE THAN WHAT IT HAS BEEN MADE OUT TO BE

AND IT MATTERS WHERE YOU BEGIN

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

Wishing You Much Love …

Hallelujah!



Praying you are having a blessed Resurrection Sunday …

 

Planet Shakers – The Anthem Hallelujah

Hallelujah!

Hosanna!

Heavenly Father,

I thank You that You are the same,
Yesterday, today and forevermore,
Worthy of honor and glory and praise

I thank You that You are a God of reconciliation - sons to fathers, brothers to sisters, and most important, that you reconcile fragile vessels such as we are ...  to You, our LORD and King.

I thank You that Your ways are not our ways, that Your thoughts are not our thoughts and that Your wisdom far exceeds our own.

You, O LORD, are perfect in all Your ways, faithful and true.

I praise You and exalt Your name!

Hosanna by Israel Houghton

Hosanna
In the highest
Let our King be lifted up
Hosanna

 

'Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."'
John 5:17

^"For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

Malachi 3:6

 

“ Worthy are You, our Lord and our God,

to receive glory and honor and power;

for You created all things,

and because of Your will they existed,

and were created.”
Revelation 4:11

 

“ Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”  Revelation 5:12 

 

Father's Day 2012

Happy Father's Day!

What a wonderful day ...
I actually found myself wishing the LORD 'Happy Father's Day' several weeks ago. I am so thankful that He has been a Father to me and to my children. I am so blessed to have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. Some days, just the thought of that overwhelms me.

BIRTH DADS
The Word states that children are a blessing from the LORD ... happy is the man whose quiver is full of them (Ps. 127:3-5).' So much truth in those words. When I think about our world, I can't help but to reflect on the vital role that a father plays - creating a secure environment, providing wisdom/direction and helping children to establish there identity in the earth. It is such an important responsibility yet often goes without the recognition or respect that it truly deserves. You have the unique opportunity/privilege of giving a child their first sense of what is like to be in relationship with God the Father. I honor you fathers today!

CHOICE DADS
John 15:13 tells us, 'Greater love hath no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.' Outside of those men who are father's by birth, there is a another special group that deserves recognition today. There is an elite group of individuals out there and something must be done to acknowledge those who will lay down their lives daily to be a father to those with whom they have no biological connection. These elect group of gentlemen have made a concious decision to play a vital and effective role in the lives of young men and women. Despite the fact that they did not play a role in the birth of an individual, they assume the awesome responsibility of playing a role in the WORTH of an individual. They pour out their lives daily and they give glimpses of what it is like to be loved by GOD. So to all the step-fathers, pastors, mentor, teachers, coaches, foster dads and those who have adopted children as their very own - Thank you and God bless you!

MOM 'DADS'
Last, but certainly not least, I take time to acknowledge and celebrate the moms who have had to become dads. All across this earth, there are moms who work double-duty, donning the shoes of both father and mother. Some are in that position because they had children outside of marriage. Some find themselves in that position because of a divorce. Sadly many are in that place because of the death of a much-beloved father. And there are still others who temporarily have to assume that role while the actual father is away (defending a country or working in another location so that he can financially support his family). Whatever the reason, it is never easy to have to be both man and woman to children who are in need. It is a tremendous job - one that requires constant commitment, ingenuity, strength and selflessness ... and a ton of prayer. It is often an 'unsung' position (as is fatherhood in general). Yet those who are on the receiving end are blessed in ways that you can never fully know or appreciate. Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you shall recognize and reap the fruit of all your labors. I speak blessings over you and pray that God would supply every need (spiritually, emotionally, physically, finacially and relationally)!

No matter who you are or how you came to assume the role of FATHER know that you make a difference!

Happy Father's Day ... Have a Blessed One!