Faith & Love

October 16, 1995

Faith and Love are verbs:

Love is something you do to show someone the faith you have in them.

Faith is what you do to show your love for God.

37th Wedding Anniversary

Today is my 37th wedding anniversary to my one and only husband. That is quite a milestone in this day and age. I want the world to know that my husband has had to put up with a lot from me. And he still loves me. And that makes me love him even more. In fact, that is really hot!

All the time I was growing up, I wasn't to upset the boat, do what I was told, live up to everyone else's expectations, and disappear into my room unless I was called for. Living away from my parents' was quite different. I was allowed to have an opinion, I had to make decisions for myself, etc. I developed a "personality". And it was rough for my husband. I tried to divorce him twice, and he hung on. What an example of Godly Love. If it wasn't for my husband, I don't think I could get a handle on just how much God loves us. NOBODY has ever loved me like that before. In spite of my faults.

I love you, Roger.

B.I.B.L.E.

B = Basic
I = Instructions
B = Before
L = Leaving
E = Earth

Thank you, Steven, for sending this one in!

I Want To Be Like Jesus

When Jesus came on the scene, everyone loved it. We have religious leaders in our time. What was the difference? Why did He draw such large crowds everywhere He went? It was because He loved them and had compassion on them. People can tell sincerity.

But how could they tell it? Was it because He acted like them so He'd fit in with the home boys? Was it because He went out drinking and bar-hopping with them? Was it because He went to all the popular restaurants and bad-mouthed the politicians and Roman police on every corner? Was it because He yawned and slept through church services because He was so smart and holy? Did He join in conversations of worry and doubt about other people's problems and health?

No. He drew a crowd because He accepted everyone regardless of race, creed, and color. He knew their hearts. He listened to their problems and changed the conversation back to righteousness and asked them leading questions. He never accused them or pointed fingers because He was better than them. He always talked about His Father in heaven and how much He loved them and righteousness. He turned their thoughts inward and let their own hearts convict them. He'd tell them to repent, turn their hearts back to God, ask for forgiveness, and get back into a fellowship with the Father. "Go and sin no more."

He'd teach them about having respect for all their brothers and sisters in the life - for all humanity. He always encouraged.

He shook hands. He hugged. He cried. He played. He laughed. He loved everyone.

When I come on the scene, what's the reaction?

Friendship Week

Here is something I got on e-mail today that really made me think. We could all be better friends. And how many times could I be more friendly? The important question I find asking myself is, why aren't I more friendly? Why don't I reach out more to people? hmmmmm. . . . . .

I have a hard time reaching out to people for several reasons: 1) I'm painfully shy. 2) I have a hard time convincing myself that other people would like me. 3) I have a hard time blogging because I have a hard time convincing myself that anyone would be interested in what I have to say.


Anyway, read on. We all know or knew someone like this!!!

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!' He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years , Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. ' Thanks,' he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began: 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach.. .but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.' I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.' I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.