Love's Opposite

"The opposite of love 

is not hate, 

it’s indifference."

-Elie Wiesel

*

Ephesians 4:25-32

..."Therefore, laying aside falsehood, 

speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, 

for we are members of one another.

Be angry, and yet do not sin; 

do not let the sun go down on your anger,

and do not give the devil an opportunity.

He who steals must steal no longer; 

but rather he must labor, performing 

with his own hands what is good, 

so that he will have something to share 

with one who has need.

Let no unwholesome word proceed 

from your mouth, but only such a word 

as is good for edification according 

to the need of the moment, so that 

it will give grace to those who hear.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 

by whom you were sealed for the day 

of redemption.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger 

and clamor and slander be put away from you, 

along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, 

forgiving each other, just as God in Christ 

also has forgiven you."

*

Tis the Season

 

*Liberty, Morality, Faith*

"Liberty cannot be established without morality, 

nor morality without faith." 

- Alexis de Tocqueville

*

"You can only do the best that you can do."

My precious 90 something friend showers me with love from her reclined recliner at the care center.

She is the last of all my precious older ladies who loved me dearly just because I have treated them with loving kindnesses. 

She is a tough cookie even today, grown up on a dairy farm with loving, godly parents. She became a nurse, met her Beloved, married, had children, lived with her Beloved for 80 some years, and now she has her son....and me to visit.

Her joy when I come around the corner is a keeper. She is so touched that I have come to visit.

"Now don't you come when it is snowing!"

"Now be careful out there! People drive so crazy now-a-days."

When I must leave she will say, 

"Already?! Oh, have I loved having you here! Now take care of Glenn, and take care of You!  Remember he is your number one priority!"

What wonderful, godly advice!

Her wit is from her father. I regret not writing all those little quips down these last 20 years.

When we talk we always bring up the LORD as we are both looking forward to Glory and of our longings for our sufferings to be over, etc. 

I've added Scripture to her wall along with seasonal paper hearts, shamrocks, flowers...

Her son put a 2 hook Shepherds hook for 2 feeders now outside her window for the birds and she loves to watch them flock there. I made her own "bird book" with the 3 kinds of birds which come every day.

Her days go by and she has some tough ones. 

When we talk she will share her troubles, but add that she is only stating the facts- not whining. When she ends that part of our conversation she will always say:

"You can only do the best you can do."

Twenty years ago when we first met she was a tough lady with rough edges, her husband a gentle, kind, loving person. As I got to know her I saw her soft, tender side. And this is the tender person I know today. She loves me, loves my husband, and loves everyone I know - because she loves me.

I have learned that even tough, rough people can be so very precious when you love them and get to know them. 

May I be as precious with others as she has been with me.  

*

Colossians 3:1-4

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, 

keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, 

seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, 

not on the things that are on earth.

For you have died and your life is hidden 

with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, 

then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."...

*

It is Today. Live fully for Him!

 Psalm 118:19-24

Open to me the gates of righteousness;


I shall enter through them, 

I shall give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;


The righteous will enter through it.

I shall give thanks to You, 

for You have answered me,


And You have become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected


Has become the chief corner stone.

This is the Lord’s doing;


It is marvelous in our eyes.

 

This is the day which the Lord has made;


Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

*

The LORD hears the call of all of His children

From Battlefields & Blessings, Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

Written by Larkin Spivey

*

Sisters in Jesus...fear has always "run rampant" no matter what time in history; past, present, or future. 

If you haven't been fearful, you are not paying attention.

"These are the times which try men's souls"

We can rest in the knowledge that the LORD watches over His own. We can be fearful; we can feel fearful, but we can always run to the LORD who is our Strong Tower. This is where we find rest among our troubles, our fears. With the LORD we can still live vibrantly among our struggles. 

As children of God we belong to the King of Kings, His Son, Jesus! No matter what comes, we will be safe in Him even if He takes us home! 

Find comfort in His strength and your fears can be handled by Him.

Proverbs 18:10

..."The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous runs into it and is safe."...

Romans 8:12-18

..."So then, brethren, we are under obligation, 

not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—

for if you are living according to the flesh, 

you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting 

to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, 

these are sons of God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery

leading to fear again, but you have received a 

spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 

“Abba! Father!”

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that 

we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, 

if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also 

be glorified with Him.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory 

that is to be revealed to us."...

Matthew 10:26-31

..."do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed 

that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be 

known.

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; 

and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim 

upon the housetops.

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to 

kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy 

both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? 

And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart 

from your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

So do not fear; you are more valuable than many 

sparrows."...

Deuteronomy 31:6

..."Be strong and courageous, 

do not be afraid or tremble at them, 

for the Lord your God is the one who 

goes with you. 

He will not fail you or forsake you.”

*

When Real Love Really Lasts

Ephesians 5:25-33

..."Husbands, love your wives, 

just as Christ also loved the church 

and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her,

 having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 

that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, 

having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; 

but that she would be holy and blameless.

So husbands ought also to love their own wives 

as their own bodies. 

He who loves his own wife loves himself; 

for no one ever hated his own flesh, 

but nourishes and cherishes it, 

just as Christ also does the church, 

because we are members of His body. 

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother 

and shall be joined to his wife, 

and the two shall become one flesh. 

This mystery is great; 

but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 

Nevertheless, each individual among you 

also is to love his own wife even as himself, 

and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."

*

Happy Resurrection Day! Celebrate Every Day!

 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

..."Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."

* 

Looking forward to Glory!

*

Something silly from a Former Librarian

 

Here's Looking at You

What is with that guy? 

Have you ever wondered about your neighbors? 

It's "either/or", right?

They are either unsaved and desperately in need of the Savior or they are saved by God's grace and live their life for Jesus. Right? 

-What about the ones who claim Jesus's name, but their demeanor and actions just don't show it? 

This one neighbor is who baffles me. I just can't understand a person who claims Jesus's name in His salvation, but his actions toward me, at least, are gruff to ignoring. 

They have never accepted an offer to come over (they never offered one either), and they are rather snubby. 

I live my life calmly, keeping our home and yard neat.  Meanwhile, through the years, I have seen him pick up trash, dead animals, and yard debris and merely, pitch it in our yard. 

What's with that? This week I found a chunk of concrete and rock right next to it.

Through the years huge storms barrel through with damages throughout our neighborhood. These are the only times he actually speaks to me. I often wonder, does he know he is speaking to me?! 

The last damaging storm was terrifying. As we were out helping people, he came right into our backyard to see our damage. After he made his comment, he just left. No helping us. No helping anyone else.

Well...It is not like I always obsess about this guy, but just this week I was out there picking up sticks and raking so - ah - I can say there was no concrete pieces there nor that rock in the middle of the grass area.

So once again I run to the LORD in repentance! I already have many sinful thoughts to repent of with the LORD, plus my own disappointing thoughts of my neighbor. 

So what if I have to pick up after him??

  

I am not him. 

I am me. I live and do for the LORD and I do it to glorify His Name. 

You can do this also no matter what is happening to you if you have given your life to the LORD through Jesus Christ our Savior! 

Philippians 4:4-13

..."Rejoice in the Lord always; 

again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 

The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything 

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute, 

if there is any excellence 

and if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and 

received and heard and seen in me, 

practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, 

that now at last you have revived 

your concern for me; 

indeed, you were concerned before, 

but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak from want, 

for I have learned to be content 

in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, 

and I also know how to live in prosperity; 

in any and every circumstance I have learned 

the secret of being filled and going hungry, 

both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."...

*

Glory to God!

*

Happy Resurrection Day! That our Joy may be made Complete!

Oh, my, goodness have we upset the proverbial apple cart through our years we have lived for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Happy Resurrection Day! to main-line churches really confused them.

We certainly did not intend to upset anyone, ever! It is just the fact as brand new Believers we couldn't say "Happy Easter!" as we were just so thankful for His Resurrection! Our sins washed away! A new life in Jesus Christ!

Praise God!

We have now found solace in His Truth at a conservative main-line denomination - in an area where even the Bible Churches have gone the modern rowdy to "attract" the young. 

Attract them to what?! Maybe the young can find the Truth of the real Savior Jesus Christ among the noise and antics. But this is if they are listening, looking for the real Truth.

LORD, have mercy on us! 

1 John 1-5

"What was from the beginning, 

what we have heard, 

what we have seen with our eyes, 

what we have looked at and touched with our hands, 

concerning the Word of Life— 

and the life was manifested, 

and we have seen and testify 

and proclaim to you the eternal life, 

which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, 

so that you too may have fellowship with us; 

and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, 

and with His Son Jesus Christ.

These things we write, 

so that our joy may be made complete.

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."...

*

2 John

*

3 John

*

As a Child of God you are Precious in His Sight

Because the LORD loves you, do for others!

Smile

Love 

Help

Care

You will make a difference.

*

2 Thessalonians 3:1-8

"Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ."...

More than just you

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

..."Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. 

But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. 

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."...

*

A Character Check

"Your smile is your logo, 

your personality is your business card,

 how you leave others feeling 

after having an experience with you

 becomes your trademark. "

*

-Jay Danz, 

Career Carrier, 

U.S. Postal service.

*

What is your character?

*

*Please, no fake smiles!*

We are meant to come alongside each other with the LORD's help: The Buddy system

Buddy system :

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

..."Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. 

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."...

Eliezer Wiesel was born in 1928(-2016) in Romania. Among a full life he was an outspoken Holocaust survivor. 

In 1986 he was awarded - at that time by merit - the Nobel Peace Prize. One thing he shared when accepting this honor was:

"Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant."

This quote is from his 2005 speech at the Israeli Holocaust Museum:

"I know what people say - it is so easy. Those that were there won't agree with that statement. The statement is: it was man's inhumanity to man. NO! It was man's inhumanity to Jews! Jews were not killed because they were human beings. In the eyes of the killers they were not human beings! They were Jews!"

Born 1892 (-1984) in Germany, Martin Niemoller's poem:

First they came for the socialists, 

and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, 

and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, 

and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—

and there was no one left to speak for me.

In God's Word:

1 Corinthians 15:58

..."Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."...

Philippians 4:1

"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved."...

Galatians 5:1

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."...

1 Timothy 6:12

..."Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."...

James 5:7-11

..."Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. 

The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.

You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 

As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."...

*

When the time comes - will you stand up for Jesus?

*