Grateful Friday

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This is one of my favorite times in the blog, when I stop to give thanks for life’s happenings over the past month. While I believe gratefulness ought to be personal and intentional, it’s good to be official and public about it sometimes, to encourage it in others. When I think of God’s goodness, even during what I deem as hard times, I can’t help but to be thankful and humbled by God’s constant thought of me. When you know of that kind of love in your life, you can’t help but to want to share it and pass it on. He is just that good. So here’s my list of thankful for this month:

Learning. I’ve previously mentioned that I’m taking an Adobe Illustrator class hosted and taught by Lauren Hooker of Elle and Company in order to serve this blog and other pursuits. The first few classes have gone great, and I’m making my way around a new program. I’m glad I’m still able to appreciate and receive learning and apply it to wherever God has placed me.

God’s gifts. God has endowed each of us with gift to glorify His name and to share His gospel to others. When you come to understand your particular calling, follow it. God wants to fulfill purpose through you, but if you aren’t willing to heed His call, then you’re only short-changing yourself, I believe. Why would you want to miss participating in the glorious work of building God’s kingdom? This is an awesome time to be involved in the work of God.

God’s sovereignty. No matter what goes on in the world, no matter what seems to crumble around you, you better believe God is in control. Don’t ever doubt His presence, His work, power, His hand in all things. Believe.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)

April in Pictures

Thought I would do something a little different this week and show what I’ve been up to this first half of April.

Good books, good food and spring blooms have made for a pleasurable and beautiful start to the season. Work and learning have filled the days. Old TV, old movies, and new movies have kept me entertained. And the promises of God have kept me in constant reminder of His perfect love.

What’s in your April photo journal?

(Photos: iPhone; iPhone Netflix app screen shots; Furious 7 official movie poster)

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Love Pt. II

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal…  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up… Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13, in part; KJV)

I call it The Love Chapter. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us how love behaves, what it is and what it isn’t, what it does and does not do. In essence, it tells us who Jesus is – the One who loves perfectly. Greatly.

I used to publish a little Christian magazine called PRAISE!. Each edition contained poetry, prose, all things inspirational, all meant to bring praise to God. I loved that little book and was so proud of it. My editor’s page was titled The Greatest of These. It was dedicated to love, because love is the center of all. Love had to be at the center of praise.

And love remains. It teaches and corrects, saves and helps, is humble and not boastful. It knows when to speak, what to say, and how to say it. IT IS LIFE’S GUIDE. Love is because God is. It saved my very soul while I was yet a sinner. It gives me joy unspeakable each and every new day.

Do I love perfectly? No. But I am perfectly loved, by Love Himself. He’s just awesome, our awesome God. No greater love than this, than a man would lay down his life for a friend. That’s what Jesus did. And that’s love.

xoxo