Love Dissection: Part VI

"It is not rude..." ~ 1 Cor. 13:5


I don't know about you but this is kind of a "DUH!" part of love. You don't say to someone you love "What were you thinking when you got your hair cut like that?!" or "That dress you're wearing is pretty gaudy!" That's just plain mean! I think where those remarks are concerned, it's pretty easy to determine what's appropriate and what isn't. 


There is one way though that we can be rude and don't even realize it thought. It comes in the form of the biting sarcastic remarks. Somehow, sarcasm slips beneath our radar and it's so easy to say something that will make everyone else laugh at someone else's expense... even if we love them. But wouldn't that be considered rude? It's definitely something I have to watch and I challenge you to think about it. Next time you think of a comment that might make the company laugh, ask yourself if it is loving and kind to the person you're commenting about. Even on Facebook! It shows up everywhere. Just think about it. 


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Love Dissection: Part V

"... it is not proud." ~ 1 Cor. 13:4


I think this one kind of bounces off love not boasting. We need to be humble. If we're always lifting up ourselves and thinking we're so great, people are going to think that we think we're too good for them. That's not very lovable is it? Warning: Jane Austen reference ahead. Just take Mr. Darcy for example. "Vanity, yes, vanity is a failing indeed. But I will always consider pride under good regulation." He thought himself so far above the country Hertfordshire folk, having his huge mansion of Pemberly and having an inheritance of ten thousand pounds a year and practically owning half of Devonshire. Everyone in Hertfordshire thought him snobbish and kept out of his way. A prideful spirit doesn't attract anyone. Besides, if we love someone, won't we want to not put ourselves above them? (Sound familiar?) 


Again, God isn't proud. And He has more right to be proud than anyone! The CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE! But He isn't. He loves us so much, He was humble enough to send His son to save our sinful skins. He loves us THAT much! Amazing isn't it? Yeah, I thought so too. Feel loved because you ARE!


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Love Dissection: Part IV

"... it does not boast..." ~ 1 Cor. 13:4


First we'll define the word "boast". 

Boast: to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, esp. about oneself

Okay. This one is pretty obvious to me. If we love someone, we really aren't going to be too concerned with putting ourselves on a pedestal right? I mean, I would think we'd be more intent on making them feel good about themselves by letting them know how much we love them and hence, what we think of them. Working on boosting their self esteem instead of worrying about our own. 


After all, God doesn't go around writing His name on all His creation. We never get an e-mail from Him saying "Hey! Don't forget how awesome I am and don't forget to love Me the most!" Yes, He is awesome but it shows through the beauty of His creation and all His blessings for us. Because He loves us, He boasts over US! 

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." ~ Zephaniah 3:17


Pretty cool huh? The God of all the universe to whom none can even dare to compare rejoicing over our sinful selves! Is that not amazing!!!


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Love Dissection: Part III

"It does not envy..." 1 Cor. 13:4

Oooooh boy. I struggle with this one. Love does not envy. I do love my family very much but sometimes, I am envious of the things they have. My brothers are fine artists. Garrett is a brilliant piano player. My mom has the patience of a saint. My dad, the drive to succeed to the fullest. Two of my cousins are absolutely gorgeous girls. My Grandma seems to have a never-ending desire to know Jesus more. This kind of envy I suppose comes from not being content with myself. And I shouldn't envy them! I should appreciate their talents and virtues and appraise them for these things but not envy them! 


Where my friends are concerned, it's a whole other kind of envy. I envy the other people they spend time with. I mean, they are MY friends so they should spend time with ME right? Well, to a degree. Yes, being friends we should spend time together however, I don't own them! They are not my "property" so to speak. They have free will to go do what they want and spend time with who they like! If it's not me, I should be glad they're having a good time, no matter who they're with, not envying the other person. Because love doesn't envy. I'm working on it. 


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Love Dissection: Part II

"... love is kind." 1 Cor. 13:4


This one is almost self explanatory. When we think of loving someone, kindness just automatically enters the picture. Whether its cleaning up the dishes without being asked or leaving a random note on the bathroom mirror or even just a hug, it's easy to be kind to someone when you love them. 


I love to think of the little ways God is kind to me because He loves me. Daffodils in the spring, smiles of my friends, butterflies, clear starry nights, chocolate, the little things that make me smile. All of them blessings from Him and I like to think that my enjoyment of them makes Him smile. A nice thought indeed. 


"Always try to be a little kinder than necessary." ~ J.M. Barrie


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Love Dissection: Part I

This morning I had a scathingly brilliant idea! I hate to bore you with my daily life and it's monotonous events.... so why not talk about love a little bit more! Using my last post as a springboard, we'll examine the different aspects of love according to 1 Corinthians. I call it..... *cue epic music* Love Dissection. Ha ha ha! And yes, I do realize that probably much of these posts will be my own ramblings but please! If you have anything to add or something you found interesting or even something to scold me for, please comment! I'd love to know what you think my dear reader! Ok, so here we go:

"Love is patient..." 1 Cor. 13:4a


Of course the first one would be horribly hard! Patience. Something I do not possess and oh how I wish I did! But it's actually kind of interesting to think about! I mean really, aren't we more patient with the people we care for? And the more we love them, aren't we more patient with them? Doesn't matter if it's something you're trying to communicate and they're just not getting it or waiting for them to do something or what! Though it's still hard sometimes, I have an easier time being patient with my siblings and my close friends than I do my college classmates and my professors. Interesting isn't it? 


Taking this one step further, if love is patient then shouldn't we strive to love everyone? No, we won't be able to do it by ourselves but that's why we've got Jesus to help us! Just imagine how awesome the world would be if we all loved each other like Jesus loves us and therefore, we were all patient with each other! What a lovely thought! The best kind of love, Jesus' immeasurable, abounding, never-ending love should be our model! We mess up ALL THE TIME and yet He is patient with us and continues to love us, no matter what we do! Isn't our God great? And just as His patience is part of His love for us, so our patience should reflect our love for others! Yes, everyone! Chew on that one for a little bit!


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Love

Love. Something that's been on my mind lately. What is it? Does it have a definition? The dictionary says love is "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person". Okay, I suppose you could say that. Yeah, the fireworks starry eyes that come with being "in love" are nice, but I'm thinking love is a whole lot more than that. Of course, when looking for answers like this, the best place to turn is definitely your Bible. Here's what it says love is:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Love never fails." ~ 1 Cor. 13:4-8

If you ask me, that's a pretty big expectation. And I know I'll never fill those shoes completely but it's something I strive for. Patiences, kindness, contentment, humbleness, politeness, others-centered, slow to anger and quick to forgive, delighting in all things good (no matter how small). Heh.... I need work. Lots of it. But I find that God's definition of love never fails whereas the fluffy sparkly "I love you" feelings don't last. So I guess shouldn't that be the kind of love we're striving for? Just a thought. 


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

Here We Go!

Well my lovely readers, Christmas break is now behind us. I was actually pretty productive this past week! I read a lot, got started on the Bright Lights training (something I'll save for another post), got together with several friends, went to the Ladies Thursday Night Bible Study and was able to help out around the house quite a bit! It was a very pleasant week! Yesterday I modeled for a friend who is practicing photography. As you can see from the pictures below, she's very good at it! It was freezing cold but it was very fun. :) 

Tomorrow is Monday. Yes, Monday. And I am getting up early (like 5:30 early) because tomorrow is the first day of the spring semester! I'm not sure whether I'm excited about it or dreading it. Monday's will be my downtown all day days with Spanish class in the morning and Biology in the afternoon. Wednesdays I have Spanish in the morning and then Saturdays is my Survey to Art and Culture class at 8 am for 8 weeks (I will suffer through it). Then I have my Politics class online and my English class online for the second 8 weeks. And I'm looking forward to summer already! However, I'm attempting to look at the next 16 weeks as a challenge. Ok, well 8 weeks first. That gets us to spring break! Yeah.... I know, I'm pathetic. 


Without further ado, here's your song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LBn6rq8OlE

Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride! Let's do this!


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

A New Year

Happy New Year all my wonderful readers! I personally had a fantastic New Years celebration, spent with mostly Carl and a bunch of other various people. There were games and movies and chocolate and laughs and I am quite tired. Thank you Lord for one more week of freedom! 


Being a new year, I think it's like a requirement to make some New Years resolutions. So, here are a few goals I personally want to set for myself in the coming year.

1: To not eat as much sugary things as I have been. I haven't decided if chocolate counts yet, being a vegetable and all. 

2: To really watch my finances and be much more careful about what I spend. 

3: To watch how I spend my time and not neglect things that should take priority (like homework...). 

Now then, the third one kind of effects you my dear reader. You see, in the recent past, I've been blogging every day. A new post to satisfy your curious appetites as I know you've been hungering to know every little thing I've been doing (please note the sarcasm there). But I'm not sure this is a very wise use of my time. Life needs to come first! I have classes to go to, homework to do, work to accomplish, a family to spend time with, friends to keep up with, a courtship buddy who requires cheesecake and cookies, ministries I want to start and new ministries already established that I'll be jumping into. No, I'm not going to accomplish all this just by not blogging every day but it's one thing that need not be a daily activity! I can spend my time doing homework or replying to e-mails or whatever else is on my to do list! Now this doesn't mean I'm going to give up blogging completely. No! I enjoy it and I plan on updating you whenever I actually have something to share besides the daily drudge of my unadventurous life. But just not every single day. 


So, there's my ramble for today. Now for a song that I think is going to be my theme song for this year. It kinda fits. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mktjoryv_8Y

I hope that God blesses you beyond measure in the coming year, so much so that you have to start your own blog just to record it all! Here, have a virtual hug from me. :)


Keep your smiles on! Until next time!


(Oh, did I mention that this is post number 400? Just a side note! :D)