Not an exception

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)

How often do we find excuses for this? How easy is it to think that our situation is so hard that this doesn't apply? That other stuff doesn't apply?

Nowhere in the Bible is it said, "Love always but if you're the new kid at school you can take a break." Or "love always but if you're being bullied, then you don't have to." Or even "love always but if you're being killed, you can hate the guy/gal."

Love is a VERY important thing and we, no matter how hard our situations, shouldn't take a break from expressing it.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

Made to love Him

~Monday Movies and Music~

"Made to Love" is a song by TobyMac. Here are the lyrics.

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]"" Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

What about you? How can you share love today?

In desolate places, through hard years

~Saturday Stories~

Here's something I wrote from a prompt:

 We are driving through a desolate place, and I'm about to tear up. Because I know this place. Every rock, really. My gaze sweeps the five dilapidated houses stuck in the middle of nowhere. My everywhere. God, why is this so hard?

 We stop, and Lily whispers softly into my ear. "Get out, Katrina. It'll be okay." I take my time opening the door, stepping onto familiar ground. I point. That's where I lived. That's Joanna's house. Kory's little hut that was also used as a church. The brown spot of ground where Jim's old RV trailer used to be. Everyone else back then were adults, but these kids were my life. Now I am an adult, and returning to Clay Village is something I don't know how to do. God, help.

 I ran the familiar half-mile track a couple times. There. I am home, if only for a little while. I come back to the car to where Lily holds the camera. "I'm sorry, Kat." "There was a drought. There was nothing we could do."

 A sudden quiet peace comes over me as I realize that, although God did orchestrate that drought He also saw me through the years that followed. All those hard years. I smile and reach out. "Let's go take some pics."

How about you? Have you had unwanted changes in your life? How has God seen you through?

Do it in love

~Friday for Friends~

"Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)

Just think about that for a second. All you do. As in, every single thing. Washing the dishes. Doing your homework. Chatting with a friend.

That sounds impossible.Where can I get enough love to shine for Christ even when I want to hide? Where can I get the love that will make others see that I am His disciple? From God, who Himself is love. From the One through whom we can do everything.

Let's take a moment to pray for Him to give us love. What can you do in love today?

Actually speaking

~Tuesday Thoughts~

  ^" I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
    among the throngs I will praise you."

Psalm 35:18 (NIV)

   Sometimes we're scared about telling others about Christ. We live our lives and perhaps try to do good works so that others "may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV). And that is a good thing.

But sometimes we should do more. We should actually speak.

"Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26 (NIV)

Who can you tell about God today?

In God's eyes

~Monday Movies & Music~

"In the Eyes" is a song by 1 Girl Nation. Here are the lyrics.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."  1 John 4:9 (NIV)

We are loved! Let's "live through him!"

Catie Conrad by Angie Spady

~Saturday Stories~

 Typical Catie: "Then I got to work on cutting out fabric for Sophie’s apron. Whenever Mom sees fabric on sale, she buys a few yards of something she thinks I might like. Sophie’s favorite color is orange, so I picked out a fruity print in orange and pink, and I’m going to paint an orange S on the pocket. I can’t wait to see her face when I finally finish it."

 Life would be SO much easier without any brothers and their pet skunks, classmates who think they're the best, and moms who say "no" every time you ask for a new phone. Katie tries to be patient, but it's so hard when the Germ (a.k.a. little brother Jeremy) is driving her nuts. And upon all that "normal" stress there's a dance to get ready to and an art show Caries absolutely has to enter. She IS the next famous fashion designer, right?

 Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters is written as a diary full of illustrations. Sometimes the constant capitalization of words made it hard, but the story was still interesting. From spa disasters to mission trips, it is full of a sixth grader's secret thoughts.

 The good news is that the book is founded on Christian truths. Catie learns that God is in control and that she should be less selfish.

 This is the first in the Desperate Diva Diaries Series. The second is Catie Conrad: How to Become the Most (un)Popular Girl in Middle School.

 For more on Angie Spady visit her Facebook page.