Let's Talk About Love!

"Take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's Love." Ephesians 3:18 MSG

The Love of God touches me in places so deep I didn't even know existed! He's my Best Friend, this Lover of my soul, JESUS. I blow Him a kiss every morning. Through familiar faces, He quickly blows me one back. I send Him a hug with an understood gesture. He tells me, "you can't give a hug without receiving one," on an unlikely billboard.  JESUS tells me He Loves me through the thoughtful gift of a red ink rubber stamp, and in His kind and special way He tells me I brighten His day.

Jesus makes me feel special and beautiful even when my appearance is at it's worst. I don't know how He does that considering it was an impossible feat for anyone else, even when I looked my best. My Lord  sends me flowers for no special reason, just because He likes to make me smile I think. That's just the way He is, my JESUS, my very Best friend. I can't wait to meet Him in person some day, hopefully soon. I like to imagine He will hold out His hand, and with a wink and a nod, say, "may I have this dance with you?"

I'm not rich by the world's standards and I'm not famous either, I'm not slender or gorgeous like a runway model.  I'm not a genius or even that smart really, but I know God Loves me, for real and for true and that is why I would never want to be you. Don't get me wrong, God Loves you this way too! It's just that for the first time in my life, I'm happy to be me!!

So the next time someone smiles at you when your out and about, or you see a lovely fresh flower just recently bloomed, or when someone tells you they love you, know this, that it's really God talking to you!

God's Love is the most beautiful thing my heart has ever seen, and it's the very best part of me! I'm nothing without Him, the Savior of my soul. "JESUS, I'm in it for Love!" It's all about Love!

*I pray the Lord gives you a fresh revelation of His perfect Love for you today!*

Jesus, You Are Heaven To Me!

Streets of gold sound beautiful, a mansion to live in too, but these are not the things I'm after, Lord I am in this only for You! You are my Heaven and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with You! No, no other God will ever do, for I have eyes only for You! With all my heart, Your daughter, Your bride

Does God Need Encouragement?

Sometimes when a certain emotion comes over me, or I react to a situation in a particular way,  I wonder, "does God ever feel this way?" I believe, often times, the answer is YES! After all, the Bible says we are created in His image.  I have learned a lot about God's character through my own emotions. For instance, I did not have a loving or nurturing mother growing up, but the Lord imprinted it on my heart to be one. Through my relationship with my children, I have learned that God is loving, kind, and gracious to His children and I am enabled to better understand His unconditional  Love for us.

Keeping in mind that we are created to be like Him, I have to ask, "does God ever need encouragement?" Do we need to be encouraged? Of course we do! I believe our Lord appreciates and even needs it too.

How can we encourage God? One really great way is with gratitude! When people are thankful for something I have done for them, or a gift I have given them, I am eager to continue to do nice things for them. On the contrary, nothing discourages me quicker than an ungrateful heart.

Today I want to thank God for His incredible, indescribable, incomparable gift of Love. His Love is the best thing that has ever happened to me, His Love is the best part of me, and His Love has made me so happy to be me! God's Love is the most beautiful thing my heart has ever seen! I am a grateful, grateful child!

Lord, please don't ever let me take Your Love for granted!

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness." Psalm 107:8

*Can you think of a special way to encourage God today? I'ld love it if you would share it with me!*

Does anyone else groom their dog before they take them to the groomer?

With the Holidays and increased expenses that accompany them, I put off taking my Gracey Mae to the groomers longer than I usually do. She is a we little 5lb. Yorkie, I must add, the cutest Yorkie ever created! She's just as cute going as she is coming! She has a little swing to her walk that's just adorable! She is black and tan with silky, soft, baby fine hair. Her coat is beautiful but extremely hard to maintain. I try to have her groomed often to keep it short otherwise she gets all matted. Once the process of tangling begins, my only option is to cut the snarls out. Well, it was the night before her long overdue appointment with the groomer, and I found myself with the comb and scissors in one hand, and Gracey Mae in the other. "Am I the only one who grooms their dog right before taking it to the groomers," I wondered as I was combing and cutting, cutting and combing my sweet little doggie's coat. I mean who does that anyway? The groomer didn't even thank me for it, in fact, she charged me a little more than usual! I guess that's because I let so much time pass since Gracey's last hair cut. I can just imagine what she would've charged had I not pre-groomed! After all, she is the groomer!

This all boils down to my addiction to please people. A nasty little habit I picked up since I was an "unacceptable" child. It's my way of silently saying, "please like me, I will do anything for you if you will just like me." When Jesus came for me I was literally unacceptable in every way, but that did not stop Him from coming to rescue me from the mud and the mire I was wallowing in. Wow, what a revelation of God's unmerited favor and Love that was! For the first time in my life I don't have to work for approval. Knowing that God created me in His great Love for a purpose that pleases Him has transformed my life! I look forward to the day I am completely free from the "approval of man" addiction. I am a lot better than I used to be, but I am still a work in progress just like you. At least there is One far greater than all that Loves us just the way we are! That is really great news!!

*Have you ever done anything silly to get someones approval? I would love it if you would share it with me! :) *

All You Need Is Love!

I can't carry 1/2 a tune 1/2 the time, or dance gracefully. I don't know how to play an instrument, I'm not physically fit or good at sports. I'm not smart and I don't have a degree. I say, "Lord, all I know how to do is love You." He says, "I know, that's why I created you! I knew what I was getting when I chose you and I chose you anyway. All you need is Love, Love. Love is all you need." What an awesome God we have!

*What Word of encouragement is the Lord giving you today?* I can think of one, God want's you to know  you are His masterpiece and He Loves you just the way you are!!