The Way You Show Jesus

My daughter won a Jamie Grace CD awhile back at one of the Youth Events she had gone to, but we really only ever listen to song #2, "Hold Me", because it's so darn catchy!  And, because it shares a wonderful message about how God is always there for us.  We are His children, and He will never leave nor forsake us.

Monday, I had occasion to drive somewhere alone (I know, unusual event in itself), and my favorite radio station (Alright, it's K-LOVE) was having a weak signal kind of day, so I put in the CD.  I found that I didn't just love that song, but that there are other songs there that tell a beautiful and wonderful story about a God who loves His children, a Savior who died for us, and the way that we should "Show Jesus".  

In fact, there are several songs that I want to talk about eventually, but today I just want to think about the one that's in my head, and the message that it shares.  "Show Jesus" is a ballad that lifts up and recognizes someone who shows the love of Jesus in his or her life.  One of my favorite lines talks about how you don't even have to say a word to show the love of Jesus when you know Him, when you walk with Him.

You know love is what they heard,

And you didn't even say a word,

Ain't it funny that's the way it works,

When you know Jesus, 

  

And to me, that's what it's all about.  The love of Jesus is what draws people to us, and through us, to Him.  He wants to use us to reach others, to help others, to love others, but we need to be showing Him and shining His light out to the world.  If I'm just like everyone else, then what kind of witness am I?  If I love others, and I show others the love of Christ, then the difference is visible, and it's "It's like flippin' on the light switch, when you're walkin' into this room, It's so undeniable." And it is absolutely, irrevocably undeniable that people see a difference when you know Jesus, and when you "show Jesus".

God called us to love others, and to show His love to others in many places in the Bible.  Matthew 5:13-16 explains that we are the salt and the light, the flavor and the light that people see.  If we lose that flavor or we hide that light, then we are not sharing God's word and God's love with people, and we're flat out not doing the job He created us for.

¹³ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Jesus told us that the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second greatest commandment is to love others.  They go hand in hand, because if you love God, you will love others, and if you love others, you're showing your love for God!

^{Matthew 22:37-39  37} Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

God expressly gave us, His children, a direction, a calling, a commandment, a commission in Matthew 28, verses 19-20.  

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Not to mix my metaphors, but there's a quote that comes to mind.  "People don't/won't know how much you know until they know how much you care."  (I'd love to give credit where credit is due, but various wordings of this quote have been attributed to multiple individuals, from Thomas Watson, to John Maxwell, "Anonymous", "Unknown", and even Zig Zigler.)  The point is, that people won't see or care about Christ unless they know that you love and care about them.  

Do you know Jesus?  Do you show Jesus?  What are some ways that you are already showing Jesus? How can you show Jesus in your life?

Jamie Grace - Show Jesus

Say, Lalalalalala, Lalala, Yeah,

Your smile's always shining out,
And they know what it's all about,
It's now hard for them to figure out,
The way you show Jesus,
You know love is what they heard,
And you didn't even say a word,
Ain't it funny that's the way it works,
When you know Jesus,

Ooohhhh, It's like flippin' on the light switch,
When you're walkin' into this rooooom,
It's so undeniable,

I gotta tell you that I like the way,
Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace
It's written all over your face,
The way you love Jesus,
And it always speaks to me,
A little joy with a touch of peace,
It's so inspiring,
The way you show Jesus,

So gimme that, Gimme that,
And show me that, Show me that,
Oh gimme that, Gimme that,
The way you show Jesus,

When I'm feelin' down on my luck,
When life's hard times get tough,
You're right there to pick me up,
When you bring Jesus,
'Cause every now and then,
We all need a really good friend,
You're always one of them,
When you show Jesus,

And ooohhhh, 
It's like flippin' on the light switch,
When you're walkin' into this rooooom,
It's so unmistakable,

I gotta tell you that I like the way,
Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace
It's written all over your face,
The way you love Jesus,
And it always speaks to me,
A little joy with a touch of peace,
It's so inspiring,
The way you show Jesus,

So gimme that, Gimme that,
And show me that, Show me that,
Oh gimme that, Gimme that,
The way you show Jesus,

Ooohhhh, It's like flippin' on the light switch,
When you're walkin' into this rooooom,
It's so unmistakable,
And ooohhhh, Show up any time of day,
You can never get here to sooooon,
You're so unbelievable,
You're so unbelievable,

Just gimme that, Gimme that,
And show me that, Show me that,
Oh gimme that, Gimme that,
The way you show,
The way you show Him,

I gotta tell you that I'm liking the way,
Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace
It's written all over your face,
The way you love Jesus,
And it always speaks to me,
A little joy with a touch of peace,
It's so inspiring,
The way you show Jesus,

So gimme that, Gimme that,
And show me that, Show me that,
Oh gimme that, Gimme that,
The way you show Jesus,

Oh gimme that, Gimme that,
And show me that, Show me that,
Oh gimme that, Gimme that,
The way you show Jesus,

Celebration

A wedding was celebrated at our house today.  You might consider it a bit unconventional, the wedding of a pregnant cat to a stuffed tiger, but my girls felt that she shouldn’t be alone.  You see, our beloved and wonderful male cat, Lancelot, was hit by a car and killed a few weeks ago.

Our previously aloof and independent Guinevere became a loving and affectionate cat, constantly choosing to be close to us instead of wandering off on her own as she once had.

Within a short time, it became evident that there was more than one reason Guinevere’s temperament had changed.  She’s going to be a mommy! 

And as her time approaches, the girls began to fret that she wasn’t taking good enough care of herself, that she needed someone to look out for her, that she would be lonely.  Thus the ultimate motive behind today’s celebration dreamed up by a trio of small, adorable people.

The dictionary definition of marriage states: “the social institution under which a man and womanestablish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.”

But what I find so much more important, is God’s design for marriage.  He made woman so that man would have a companion, so that he would not be alone.

Genesis 2:18-24

 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

¹⁹ And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

²⁰ And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

²¹ And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

²² And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

²³ And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

²⁴ Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

and Matthew 19:4-6

⁴ And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

⁵ And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

⁶ Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Men are to love their wives, to protect them, and take care of them and their children, which is ultimately why my girls felt that Guinevere needed a husband, even if he was just a representation.

There is someone special who will love and protect us, take care of us and provide for us even more than an earthly husband, and not just through the time constraints of human life, but for eternity.

Ephesians 5:22-25

²² Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

²⁴ Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Yes.  Christ gave Himself for the church.  Does that mean that He gave Himself for a fancy building downtown, or an old leaning building in the middle of an oilfield?  No.  Christ gave Himself for the people.  He loves us, and He wants to be our Lord, Protector, Comforter, Friend, and so much more.  He wants to be our Savior.
 

Christ is the one true love we have who will never leave us, forsake us, or even disappoint us.  He is everything, and He wants to be your everything.  If you don’t know Him today, take the time to invite Him into your heart.  


If you do know Him, make sure that you take the time and make the time to sit down and spend with Him.  There is no greater friend than Jesus, and there is no greater love than that He has for us.

Romans 5:8

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Passing it on...

Read this post this morning and loved it!  In fact, I loved the post with the link that sent me to this post too, so I thought I would share a few words of wisdom and inspiration this morning!

Amos: Just a boy from the hood...er pasture
http://jessicarpatch.blogspot.com/
Here's a little about this author: http://jessicarpatch.blogspot.com/p/about-writer.html 
And, a few more really neat blogs that she's written!
http://jessicarpatch.blogspot.com/2012/01/core-strengthening-4-must-do-exercises.html
http://jessicarpatch.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-do-when-your-calendar-seems.html

This is one of the first I opened this morning, and I just saw my own life reflected as well.  So many times we think something is a setback, or a loss, when it was really God opening a door for us to serve in another way.
http://mariaimorgan.blogspot.com/2012/06/setback-or-opportunity.html?showComment=1340808306025#c5897447493439089975

Let me introduce you to Maria I. Morgan!  http://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087

And here's a great morning inspiration:  http://morningcuppas.blogspot.com/2012/06/we-are-not-faithless.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MoreMorningCuppasWithGlenys+%28More+Morning+Cuppas+With+Glenys%29

Glenys is a lovely lady with a wonderful insight into God's word.  I enjoy reading her in the mornings with my own cuppa!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/13122260263629909877

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Friendships - The Ages and Stages

What is a friend?  The online dictionary I found defines a friend as "A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts, a person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade."

Remember when you were a kid, and best friends changed faster than the weather?  It all depended on who had the latest toy or the coolest jacket, or was having the most fun birthday party.  What about those friends who have stayed?  Have your friendships been different throughout the years?

I have had several "best" friends through the course of my life.  A few have remained.  First and foremost, my husband is my very best friend.  He is the one person whom I confide in, tell everything to, lean on in time of crisis, depend upon. 

 I also have several good friends who I love and lean on.  One of them has been my closest female friend for years.  We have been through so much together, that she's like a part of my soul.  But, there are times in our lives when we are doing different things with different people, and we grow apart.  I love her so very much, but I don't feel like I have anything in common with her right now, so sometimes it's hard to find things to say when we get the infrequent opportunity to talk.  Thankfully, our friendship is of a bond that is beyond small talk and we get through these times.  

Another great friend of mine I call "sister of my heart".  We've said many times that we must have been separated at birth, because we are so much alike.  I have even seen my beloved and faithful old puppy dog confuse us from a distance, though she figured it out pretty quickly.  I love her so very much, but it's hard to talk to her right now, because they moved away not too long ago, and instead of being thrilled and glad I got to spend time with her (in a way), I still struggle with being sad that she's not here.  I know, I'm working on it :), because I absolutely love to hear her voice when I can.  I tend to write letters, so I can keep in touch and let her know how things are going with us, and let her know I love and miss her.

One of my closest friends I would actually say I inherited :).  She's my sister, blood or not, the aunt to my children, and her family is ours.  We each have a passel of kids, so we have lots of stories to share, and have had occasion to spend over an hour locked in conversation at McDonald's Playland while the kids ran around.  We don't see each other all the time, but we enjoy when we do.  

I've had other friends as well, several characters throughout the years (yes, you know you are characters).  Friends from school, friends from college, friends I met in random places, friends from high school, friends from church and friends who I met through other friends...friends who were friends for a time, who I lost touch with.  Friends who I've recently reconnected with, friends who I talk to from time to time, friends who have been there for ages, whether I get to spend a lot of time with them or not, friends I only see on Facebook, or met in MuMu Land, or CafeMom.  I love all my friends, even if they are friends I don't really see anymore, but there is one friend who I need to spend time with before all others.  

Did you know that there is one friend who sticks closer than a brother? Proverbs 18:24 tells us ^"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Who will be with you through anything and everything and love you no matter what?  His name is Jesus.  

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham 

believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: 

and he was called the Friend of God.

Matthew 6:33   But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Are you seeking the Kingdom of God today?  He can and will be the best friend you've ever had.  All you have to do is ask Him.  Ask Him today!

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Here's a little about the contest and the sponsors.  Be sure to visit the link above to fill out the entries in the raffle copter!

 Holy Spirit-led Homeschoolinghas teamed up with Homeschool Giveaways & Hearts at Home Curriculum, along with several other wonderful blogs, to offer you a chance to win:

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Daily life of an accidental homeschooler. Kelli is a Christian wife, the mother of three busy boys, and a published photo-journalist. She hopes to inspire you to get outdoors – get creative – & experience the beauty of God’s creation and enjoy life’s adventurez ~ at her blog! www.AdventurezinChildRearing.com

Daddy's Girl

Daddy's Girl

I'm the center of Daddy's World

I know I'm Daddy's number one

Because he loves me just like a son

Daddy's Girl

Anyone remember that old Red Sovine song?  I had a tape that I used to listen to over and over with my dad.  That was one of my favorites, as was "It'll Grow Back", "Teddy Bear", "Phantom 309", and "Giddy Up Go".  

I have lots of wonderful memories of times spent with my dad growing up.  An ice cream cone bigger than my head in Farson, WY, the best cheeseburger in the world at the Edgerton Cafe (which was green then), camping out behind the chutes in Cheyenne at Frontier Days, listening to concerts and going to Cowboy Church, hanging out in the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the timed event, meeting Cactus, when Dad brought Cactus home (okay, that wasn't a childhood memory), Shorty, elk hunting, the endless dirt road with bountiful gullies that ran next to the highway for 50 miles before we found an out...boy were the guys at that railroad depot surprised!  

I remember bouncing across the dirt roads of Wyoming, listening to Chris LeDoux...we had worn out tapes of Chris LeDoux long before Garth Brooks ever sang about them!  

But the most important thing that I remember is that my dad always loves me, no matter what.  He and my mom are wonderful, living examples of the kind of parent I want to be, and the way I want to live my life.  Their lives truly show God's love and light up the world around them.  I am so thankful for both of my parents, and have been greatly blessed.  Happy Father's Day Dad!

One really amazing and wonderful thing about having such great parents who share the love of Christ, is that I am able to understand forgiveness and love, concern, and care.  It is still kind of incomprehensible to me that God loves me even more than that, but I at least have an idea.  My Heavenly Father gave His son to save me, in spite of all the garbage I've done and thought in my life.  He loved me even though I was (and am) a sinner and deserve nothing but death.  All I had to was ask Him to forgive me and come into my heart.  When I mess up, which I do, He takes me back.  If I truly repent, He forgives me and brings me back into the fold.

All of us are sinners.  Nobody's perfect (nope, not Hannah Montana either), and all of us have made and will make mistakes and do things that are wrong.  The Bible says "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23), and "The wages of sin are death." (Romans 6:23).

However, that's not the end.  He has given us a way out.  God sent His son to be the ultimate sacrifice, so that His blood could cover our sins.  

If we accept Him, believe in Him and confess that He is Lord, then He will forgive us.  (Romans 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

God knew that we would be and are sinners, and He loved us anyway.   ^{Romans 5:8 tells us "}But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Let your Heavenly Father show His love for you today.  

Keep Moving Forward

Sometimes, when I'm facing something that seems insurmountable, or just plain hard, that line from Meet the Robinsons goes through my head, and I remind myself to "Keep Moving Forward".  

There's a lot of Biblical application in that too.  Hebrews 12:1 clearly tells us to "lay aside every weight and run with patience the race that is set before us."  It doesn't say "Oh, you messed up, you better just lay down and quit right there."  It says to lay aside the sin that is messing with you, to move beyond that, and concentrate on the race and the job you are supposed to do!

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

There are other verses in the Bible that also talk about moving past disappointment, failure, troubles, mistakes, sin and hurt.  There are some that remind us to wait up on the Lord, not to go into battle ourselves, but to strap on our holy armor and wait for Him to lead, being prepared and ready whenever we are called.  I've put together a list of some of those that I look to when I'm feeling defeated or discouraged.  Just remember.  God cannot be defeated.  He is the be all and end all of it all :).  I know, that sounded a little repetitive, but God is IT.  The King of Glory, the Father of Creation, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.  He is everything, and He will always be there for His children.

^{Ephesians 6:10-18 Talks about putting on our holy armor each day, and being prepared for battle. Because battle it is.  Every day we face forces in this world that we don't understand, and that we cannot defeat on our own.  In order to battle against them, we must be protected, and we must be prepared.}  

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

As it says in Ephesians, prayer is an awesome tool for us to be communicating with God all the time, and it helps us to be open to His leading.  "Praying always iwth all prayer eand supplication in the Spirit"...Romans 12:12 also tells us to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

No matter what, we are reminded, that God has chosen us for His purpose and His glory, and through Him, "we are more than conquerors."

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I was searching for "Keep Moving Forward" on YouTube, another video that I hadn't seen crossed my path.   Especially pay attention to the first minute, where Rocky explains that you're going to be hit, and it's not about giving up or blaming others, but continuing to keep moving forward.  We need to be willing to take the hits, and win the race!  God will always love us no matter how much we fall down or how badly we fail, we are His children, and we are precious to Him, so use that as encouragement, and keep going, keep trying, keep running that race.

Look at all that can be accomplished when you "Just keep swimming! Together!"