thoughts on love from a grandfather

The following was contributed by a young lady on the YLCF website.  I thought it was worth repeating.

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Wisdom defined God’s way as this–the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. My daughter, if you will receive my words to lay up my commandments with Thee, so that you incline your ear unto wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. Then you shall understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion shall preserve thee and understanding shall keep thee to deliver you from:

1. The way of the evil man

2. From men that speak perverse things.

That is God’s advice.

This is Papa’s advice:

1. Don’t fall in love!

Love is the fruit of the spirit of God. Fruit grows when the seed (the Word of God) is planted in the good soil of the heart. Fruit grows from the branches, which abide in the Vine. If we abide–we produce fruit. If no fruit is produced, the branches are pruned.

True love is defined as eight positive and eight negative heart attitudes, actions or responses to tests, trials, and temptations, encountered along the way of life. Our actions then establish our habit patterns which ultimately develop our character.

2. Don’t Fall in Love. Stand.

Stand, having your feet planted on the firm foundation, which is Jesus Christ. Stand fast with the whole armor, that you may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.

Stand. Abide. Obey. Submit. Seek His will. Serve as He leads the way through the storms, over the rock slides, around the slough of despond, and finally to the verdant pasture of peace and contentment where love will bloom and bring forth its fruit in due season.

3. Don’t Fall–but Grow in Love.

That your love may abound more and more in knowledge in all judgement (perception, discernment). That you may approve (distinguish) things that are excellent…and there are many excellent things out there today!

4. Don’t look for love.

As seed planted in the good soil needs warmth, moisture, and light, so we can produce:

The warmth of friendship and service in compassion. We can water the seed with the water of the Word. We can shed the “light of the world” in the world.

Be patient as the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and the latter rains. First the blade, then the ear, and then the full ear of corn.

5. Don’t measure love–observe it!

You may be attracted, but don’t be distracted by: words, looks, and kindnesses to you!

The yardstick of love is not how he looks at you but how he sees:

1. God
2. The World
3. Other Women

The true measure of love is not how he speaks to you, but how he speaks to his mother and his sister. That is how he will speak to you later on.

6. Don’t hope to fall in love…

…but be willing to love those you are serving. Love is not an emotion, but rather a matter of the will. Love is kind–a learned response of the heart when others are unkind.

Love is a commitment–dying to self–a life of giving. An attitude of serving. A heart that is kind, compassionate, and caring in spite of the circumstances.

7. Don’t rush into love.

Wait!

And again I say wait!

Watch. Beware. Watch out.

Wait on the Lord.

– by Dr. Bill Brink

water music

This is an incredible video of a man playing crystal water glasses.  Thanks Tina and Rhonda for the link! 

http://www.fliggo.com/video/ALvrdtoi

Victory in Jesus

Tina’s victory post made me think of something that happened in one of my music classes Tuesday.  I was nearing the end of my 4-5 year old class of Rhythm and Rhyme and asked for a request to do a favorite song…meaning one we had previously done in our class.  One little girl spoke up and said, “Victory in Jesus”!  Unfortunately our lesson plans do not contain church songs (unless you count Ode to Joy or some Spirituals…that is something I am sad about for I think a child’s training in music ought to primarily be toward God Who made music).  I said I certainly didn’t have a problem with it if no one else did.  It turned out everyone else there seemed to know it and seemed to not have a problem with singing it so I went to the piano and we sang “Victory in Jesus” at Harmony Road Music School with Lilly and her grandmother heartily singing the lead along with me (I think they knew the words to the first verse better than I did)!  The little girl, Lilly, loves that song (she knows the page number in the hymnal at church by memory…202) and requests it at church on Sunday nights her grandmother said!  

What a memorable experience.  No wonder the Lord said we should become as a little child…not worrying what others will think of us requesting a church song in music class.  Oh for the faith of a child and to see the world through their eyes! 

perspective of not being earthbound

Some time ago a friend called from a cruise ship to say that they were standing on deck, with not a cloud in the sky and the weather perfectly balmy!  Considering the weather was less than balmy in our neck of the woods at the time, I commented to my mother that it was nice to know the weather was really like that somewhere even if it wasn’t here!” 

It made me think of my mother recounting her first airplane flight years ago.  It was a rainy day and very dreary and cloudy when she and my dad boarded the plane.  As they made their ascent they eventually crossed the source of the rain and entered into a whole new world it seemed.  Here, they were above the clouds and not a drop of rain was to be found.  No clouds barred their view of the sun.  It was pure sunlight reflecting off the clouds below.  This view was even more stunning than a cloudless day seen from the ground. 

The realization hit her that the sun is always shining!  No matter what kind of weather we are experiencing, the sun is always there and still shining.  What she knew to be true suddenly became very real to her after experiencing the view from an entirely new perspective…from above the clouds…with nothing between her and the sun! 

When I was young I use to wake up and if I didn’t have anything especially exciting to look forward to in that day I would go forth to meet the day with a less than happy attitude.  My dad explained to me that happiness was what I made of the day.  No matter what was going on, happiness was still available but my clouded view kept me from seeing so.  Happiness is definitely a choice!  It comes from adjusting your perspective. 

Although we do experience the joy of cloudless days, on earth we are unable to witness the even more glorious view from above the clouds.  But once you’ve seen the view from above the clouds you can know that even on cloudy days the sun is still up there shining…because you’ve seen it.  So it is that once we have experienced God we can know He is always there regardless of our clouded circumstances!

As long as we are “earth bound” in our view of life we are unable to see the perspective from “above”.  Colossians 3:1-2 says “If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of the Father.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Lord, give me Your eternal timeless perspective, unchanged by my circumstances!

treasures of the snow

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said…Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treaures of the hail…?…Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?…Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?” ~ Job 38:1,22,28-29

“He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoarfrost as ashes.  He casteth forth his ice like morsels; who can stand before his cold?” ~ Psalm 147:16-17

Yes, we have been having a winter ice storm.  The trees are all laden with ice and it’s been snowing this morning.  When the sun shines it’s beautiful, as if the trees are bearing crystal teardrops! 

Make no mistake though, I will be very ready for God to give the earth her new spring wardrobe!

“He sendeth out his word, and melteth them…”. ~ Psalm 147:18

“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:11-13

i’ve been tagged!

I’ve been tagged by Gina!  Here are 6 things about me that are hopefully somewhat interesting to you the reader. 

1) I wrote my first song at age 8.  Actually God gave it to me.  I was sitting playing the piano while my parents were preparing for us to leave on a trip.  The song just seemed to “happen”!  Here are the words:

“He is coming in power.  He is coming in might.  He is coming to restore His church again.  He is coming for His bride to be ever at His side.  Oh be ready for that day when He shall come.” 

2) I love to blog-surf.  Finding a new site that speaks to my heart is so exciting to me. 

3) I spent seven weeks in Moscow, Russia in 1996.  Our family was able to go through the homeschool program we were enrolled in (Advanced Training Institute of America with Bill Gothard).  Our job assignment was to help renovate an orphanage.  It was a wonderful experience.  It’s the kind of thing I would enjoy doing again should God ever direct me to do so.   

4) One of my very favorite books is God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew.  It so inspiring and challenges me to live by faith and expect results!

5) My brothers and I along with our friend, Jessica, became surrogate parents to four baby opossums in our backyard one summer!  I still have home videos of that eventful week!  Unfortunately they all died except for one…Buddy.  We let him go right before we were leaving to go on a trip out of town.  After that we would remorsefully remark whenever we would see a dead possum on the side of the road…”I hope that’s not Buddy”!

6) I love music that feels like it reflects the majesty and glory of God; making me stand in awe and humility before the Maker of majesty. 

I tag: Tina, Janie, Crystal, Galadriel, Rhonda, Bonnie, and Julie .

Here are the “rules”:

1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag any number of people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. 

vision of a martyr

I read this on Christian Gospel Temple’s website (www.cgtchurch.net). 

My Commitment As A Christian

“My Commitment as a Christian” was written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house. It was found after his martyrdom.

I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me…my banner will be clear!

special prayer request

I would like to ask prayer for my cousin, Brian. He was raised in church and has very precious godly parents who are very faithful people in our church. Years ago, while in his teen years, Brian left church and his faith in God.

Just in the last week he has made a decision to re-dedicate his life to the Lord and has been making steps toward that. He came last night to church with the intention of returning for good. This, of course, thrills our hearts very much. As a result of wrong choices in life, however, he has a lot of things in front of him to face. It will take supernatural strength for him to make it through. 

To me, his return to the Lord is a miracle already. I know God will give him everything he needs to make it. Just pray that Brian will pursue God with his whole heart, receive the grace God gives him to endure whatever he may have to go through, and be firm in his commitment to live for Christ!

Thank you so much!

raw “cheese” crackers

Today we ate the last of the raw crackers I just made.  They turned out really good!  Here’s the recipe for anyone interested.  For raw crackers they taste mighty similar to those little “cheezits”.  Kerria, my 9 year old cousin, helped me make them and loved them so they pass the “kid” test!  I have more almonds and sunflower seeds soaking already. 🙂

Sunflower Cheese

2/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup water

juice of 1 lemon

3 Tbsp. tahini*

3 sun-dried tomatoes

1 Tbsp. olive oil

3/4 tsp. turmeric

3/4 tsp. celtic salt

1/2 tsp. paprika

pinch of cayenne pepper

optional: I added some nutritional food yeast (about 2 tsp.) and some dehydrated onion (about 1/2 -1 tsp.).

PREP: Presoak almonds for at least 8 hours and sunflower seeds for at least 6 hours.

Puree all ingredients together until smooth.

Serve as a dip or dehydrate into cheese crackers…recipe follows.

* Tahini is sesame seed butter.  I didn’t have any so I made my own.

Tahini

1 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup olive oil

1/8 tsp. celtic salt

Sunflower Cheese Crackers

Use “Sunflower Cheese” recipe.  Spread about 1/4 inch thick on dehydrator trays (solid inserts, not mesh).  Score with a knife into small squares.  Dehydrate for at least 12 hours (or until crisp…probably will take longer).  These are pretty close in flavor and texture to those familiar little orange cheese crackers we love!

Recipes taken (adapted) from Everyday Wholesome Eating …In The Raw by Kim Wilson