pause ‘n ponder

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It is often wise to think before speaking, literally...  

T – Is it Truthful?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Inspiring?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?

two years ago, on this date....

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In August of 2008, I visited with my kids and granddaughter for a couple of wonderful days.  We only had one car at the time, since hubs vehicle was in the shop replacing a stolen catalytic converter.  On the 19^th of August, hubs went to work, and left straight from there to come get me.  We enjoyed a dinner with the little lady and her Mom.

On our way home, hubby gave me a pretty box with a nice bow.  The pretty box with the nice bow had a lovely pair of earrings (he has a knack for picking out birthday gifts).  And, as it turned out, the stunning gift was a timely gift - especially since my jewelry had been reduced to three pairs of earrings (counting the new ones), one necklace, one bracelet, and the three rings on my fingers.

After getting home, we went in and put some things on the kitchen table, and hubby went back outside for the rest of my stuff.  I looked to see if we had any phone messages, grabbed the phone, then noticed something was very different, and ran back outside.

I was upset, I was crying, I was in shock, I was frightened, I was infuriated, I was traumatized, I was scared, I was distressed, I was …well, you get the picture.  I dialed 911 somewhere between frightened and infuriated because someone had broken into our home… by forcible entry…we had been burglarized…

Where the pc had once rested, was an outline of dust.  The dresser had a dust free rectangle, where there had been a jewelry box.  After looking around carefully, we noticed several more things that were stolen.  I actually was amused to see our dirty clothes strewn around the missing hamper.  The police told us hampers were a popular item to carry the stolen items.

The things that were taken were things, only just things.  Some could be replaced fairly easily – the pc etc.  But, there were many items that could never be replaced.

For the rest of that week, I was on the phone for approximately 12 hours (I'm not exaggerating).  This mess caused a lot of hard work, and I had no inkling just how much of a mess and overwhelming work with police reports, forms for the insurance, the bank stuff, credit bureaus …ugh…

None of this matters, it isn’t even important.

I have blessings in abundance, I have blessings I’m not aware of, I have blessings I don’t deserve, I have blessings, blessings, blessings…  And, God is the giver of blessings.

Don’t forget the blessings, don’t ever forget the blessings…

what is this kind of love?

Agápe (αγάπη agápē) is defined as “love". But, it’s unlike any other love. It’s an unconditional love that’s always giving and never taking. This kind of love is totally selfless and doesn’t change even if the love given is or isn’t returned. This is the original and only true form of love.

• Agape love is seeing the answer and sharing that with whoever is seeing   or experiencing the problem.
• Agape love is never judgmental and is eternally patient with any thing that must be learned. 
• Agape love is totally without demands or requirements. 
• Agape love is total truth in that it doesn’t change, no matter what changes around it. 
• Agape love doesn’t know about time, since time doesn’t exist in heaven. 
• Agape love is unconditional forgiveness for anything, because agape love goes beyond the idea of needing forgiveness.

God is Agápe Love! And, frankly, His love overwhelms my heart. Now, that’s a secure Love!

"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
Matthew 22:39 NAS

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:12 NAS

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:8 NAS

God is Here

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I came across this a few weeks ago, and I’ve read it over and over.  It seems God is reminding me how much He loves me and that He’s always with me.  These are promises of God, and I cherish them and hold them close to my heart.  It doesn’t matter what my circumstances are, God is with me!  I am His child, and He will never leave me.  It’s amazing how God provided these words at a time I really needed to hear them!  

When I fall, He lifts me up.

When I fail, He forgives me.

When I am weak, He is strong.

When I am lost, He is The Way.

When I am afraid, He is my courage.

When I stumble, He steadies me.

When I am hurt, He heals me.

When I am broken, He mends me.

When I am blind, He leads me.

When I am hungry, He feeds me.

When I face trials, He is with me.

When I face persecution, He stills me.

When I face problems, He comforts me.

When I face loss, He provides for me.

When I face Death, He carries me Home!

~unknown

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 NAS

foto favs

God works in many ways..............

Yesterday, I did something that totally surprised me. It’s something that I rarely do. For some reason, I found myself handing a bill to a man who was standing at a busy intersection. His appearance looked like the life he was living. I don’t know how he’ll spend the money. Maybe liquor, maybe drugs, maybe food. I’ll never know. But, I strongly felt led to hand it over.

Then, this morning, I was in my car listening to K-Love radio. The DJs were talking with a seven-year-old boy. Okay, I admit it...I began to cry, and did so thru-out the phone call, and a few minutes afterwards. This link tells the inspiring and uplifting story of a little boy and a one dollar bill.


http://www.klove.com/blog/(A Little Boy and a Dollar Making a Big Difference, August 6, 2010)

quick quotes

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Our valleys may be filled with foes and tears; but we can lift our eyes to the hills to see God and the angels, heaven's spectators, who support us according to God's infinite wisdom as they prepare our welcome home.

Billy Graham

-->Faith is believing in advance what can only be understood in reverse.

Chuck Swindoll

 

-->Don't be afraid for tomorrow. God is already there.

Ethel Lofgren