Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection,* and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:9-10, NLT
This verse came into my inbox this morning after my previous post…. I thought it fit well…
I know i struggle to love others well…How well do you love others?
When God calls there is almost always a tough choice that has to be made in the process. One that involves some sort of risk, challenge, or something. It’s at that point that the struggle begins. In my experience, that is where fear creeps into the picture. What if my needs aren’t met? What if my lifestyle has to change? What if we lose the home?
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. – Romans 7:19 NIV
This roadblock of fear can bring Gods incredible plans for your life to a screeching halt. Read the rest of this entry »
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
As I read this scripture this morning, it struck me as a parent. As I work to grow kids into Godly adults, I wonder if I am doing a good enough job in this area of forgiving much.
I will be honest forgiving is not something I am strong at. But then if I am being really honest, I have struggled the last few months, dare I say years, at being the kind of Dad that my kids really need.
I have never really thought the two, forgiveness and much love, were connected though. On those days when I hold grudges against kids who don’t listen or are disrespectful, I do notice I get little love in return. But on those “shining moments” when I honest forgive them and express that to them, the response far exceeds what I would expect.
So what I am taking away seems to be that loving and forgiving does return far more love than holding grudge or hiding my feelings. Imagine that, God’s Word applying directly to a situation – duh! of course…
What are your thoughts about parenting and the extent one should forgive their kids even in the face of disrespect?
And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. -Ecclesiastes 3:14, NLT
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. -Ephesians 3:14, NIV
I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. -Ephesians 3:14, The Message
Above are three versions of the same verse and in all three a phrase stands out (italics) to me as good reminders about our God… Read the rest of this entry »
All love that has not friendship for its base, is like a mansion built upon sand.
William Arthur Ward: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
