Faith – Page 194

Perhaps Love

February 12, 2015~ Faith

“We love because he first loved us”
‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19

“Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don’t know what to do
The memory of love will see you through”
-John Denver

John wrote and sang a beautiful song that speaks somewhat to the human condition when it comes to this thing called love. In our humanness we must constantly work on loving and being loved..it isn’t automatic. I’ve heard a lot about “love at first sight”. Even so, it’s not “boom, got ‘er done.” Only Christ, on a cross, in that moment of love’s greatest expression and demonstration can proclaim “It is Finished”. (John 19:30)

I’ve heard it said that people don’t really “fall in love”. Those holding this view usually insist that love is really a choice we make. We choose to love-period! Plus nothing, minus nothing. I personally believe that both falling and choosing are true. They are intertwined and together encompass “being in love”.

Pam and I will celebrate our 42nd anniversary this month, and we’ve known each other almost 45 years. It is fact that when it comes to this “love” business that we both have made thousands of choices. Choices that focus on our love for each other over the course of many years. And those choices are what nourishes our love and causes it to continue to grow.

But I do remember and still cherish those memories of the first sight, the first date, the conversations and the getting to know each other. Going places together, laughing, listening to our favorite songs, and just having fun. Then this indescribable, exciting, nervous, giddy feeling started slowly coming over me at certain times and special moments. The frequency increased and one day I realized through all of this…“I’ve been falling…and I like it!” Once I knew I was “falling”, I started “choosing”, and also praying that Pam was “falling”.

If you want to accept love being 100% choosing, then that is absolutely fine. Just don’t attempt to take away my falling-it’s too sweet and too real! It’s not possible to pinpoint an exact time it happened, therefore it is a process. Hence, falling-present tense; not fell-past tense.
Still ongoing!

Don’t let love die! Water it with “falling”to keep it alive…vibrant and fresh. Nourish it with “choosing” to give strength and allow new growth.

Best of all-God loves all of us and demonstrated His love through Christ while we were unlovely and unloveable. A choice, yes! God doesn’t need us, per se. He is complete, lacking nothing. So, our love for him adds nothing to him, and our lack of love for him takes nothing away from him. But he chose and chooses to set his affections upon us, regardless. He chooses to dwell with us and in us. And that is love, because God is love. He just is.

A line in a chorus I wrote a long time ago says
“I wish I could love Him as much as He loves me; Jesus Christ is everything I need”

Linking with: Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Three Mango Seeds, Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict ,Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, Alabama Women Bloggers

Lessons From A Vineyard

January 8, 2015~ Faith

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing”
John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬

Last Sunday, I was blessed to be both engaged and challenged by very solid teaching/discussion centered around the words of Jesus as found in scripture in John 15. The vineyard, the fruit, the vine, the vinedresser, and “abiding”. While I certainly encourage you to check out this chapter, that is not my main purpose for mentioning it.

The time spent in this chapter triggered my memory of an encounter that Pam and I had a few months back while visiting a vineyard. I suppose the proper term would be winery. It was in Texas, but had the look and feel of Tuscany. We had to stop for a visit.

We browsed through the large display area and store where there were a lot of interesting items for sale, as well as wine tasting, tours, and of course wine to purchase. A young woman (young to me at least) that was a store clerk asked if she could help with anything. We shared that we were just looking around and commented on the grounds and vineyards. Pam, our question asker extraordinaire, needed info on the place, of course. It so happened that we were the only customers inside at the time and the three of us began talking. It is to the young lady’s story that my memory drifted as I sat under this teaching on Sunday and that I will make a feeble effort to relate. It’s a story worth repeating. I wish her exact words were recorded but even then the heartfelt manner in which she spoke and her countenance cannot be duplicated on the written page. Not by me anyway!

But here goes-in short form. We first asked one of those common conversation openers-“did you grow up here in Texas?” The reply was “no”. But apparently, sensing like mindedness and a kindred spirit, she elaborated. She and her husband had moved from another state and had not been in Texas that long. He had served in ministry at their previous location. It was evident that they had experienced some difficult times. We wanted no details, only tried to encourage. However, what she shared next took the “encouragement ball” out of our court and placed it in hers.

She needed to work when they moved to Texas. She had not worked at a winery but was appreciative of the opportunity to work in the shop and learn about the business. Unusual weather conditions prompted the winery to call her and all available employees and ask them to be at work very early to pick grapes.

Admittedly, this was disturbing as she had not been hired to pick grapes and knew nothing about this tedious task.

Struggling with that attitude, she found herself in the vineyard anyway. What took place in her heart that day-out there with all those grapes-reveals how God wants to speak to us during our everyday living-if we will pay attention. She said it something like this; I discovered that the grapes that were woven tightly and found closest to the vine were the hardest to pull away. Those that wrapped themselves around the vine, clinging in an abiding fashion were not easily dislodged. These were also the sweetest and best. And in that moment, standing in a beautiful vineyard, those words in the Bible that I had heard and read many times really came alive for the first time!

Her words were much better and our conversation was much longer. It was one of those special times that comes along when we need it most. God works that way. With an OK from her co-workers, she invited Pam and me to come outside and walk with her through the nearby vineyard where she pointed out and demonstrated to us exactly what she had told us inside. We looked closely at grapes abiding in the vine-good fruit! The picture was so clear as we stood there. Her attitude and heart were changed that day while picking grapes. She seemed to be “abiding” now. She could not sidestep and circle around life’s troubles but now had grace to go through them. Her heart was changed one day in that vineyard, and so was ours.

” As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love”
John 15:9

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser”
John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬

Miracles & Mangers

December 11, 2014~ Faith

It started like any other night, as shepherds kept their sheep,
The darkness changed to a guiding light, come see the Prince of Peace.
Call His name Emmanuel, a Savior is born for you
The angels sang, the announcement came, God’s promise has come true.

In a manger in Bethlehem, there lies a stranger in a foreign land,
Heaven’s joy in a manger makes my heart sing,
Holy love in a manger, Christ the King.

It started like any other night, too dark for me to see
But then I found His glorious light, this Child was born in me!
I call His name Jesus, the Son of the Highest is come
Now we all can have his gift of life and worship God the Son!

A gift of love all wrapped in grace, His Spirit is His seal
With ribbons of joy of hope for whosoever will.

In a manger in Bethlehem, there lies a stranger in a foreign land,
Heaven’s joy in a manger makes my heart sing,
Holy love in a manger, Christ the King.
by: Butch Richardson

Our largest and most elaborate nativity! Many nativities like this one show “wise men” at the manger with their gifts. Not exactly biblical correctness (they showed up a couple of years later) but still a scene that reminds us of the greatest event in human history!

A gift from South Africa, this nativity is hand carved of ebony wood

My Favorite Memory

It seems to make sense that if asked to pick a favorite Christmas memory that most people would choose a particular Christmas, or certain Christmas memories from their childhood/growing up years. And I certainly have so many from those days that it would be almost impossible to choose one to top the list. But, I don’t have to make that hard choice because my “top of the list” Christmas occurred when I was 34 years old. The year- 1985.

In just over 2 months Pam and I would celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. We didn’t have children. What most people did not know was that for many years we had prayed for a child. You see, over time, and after numerous tests, doctors had concluded that we would not be able to have children. But, on December 11, 1985, exactly 2 weeks before Christmas, our son Seth was born.

Now it is an understatement to say I was nervous, excited and overwhelmed at that moment. It was 4:26 in the afternoon when I completed my assistance in this miraculous birth. (I believe all births are miracles)! This was one that human reasoning suggested should not be occurring. All the more reason to celebrate! But, as I helped the nurse with the weighing and measuring, thoughts and feelings came over me I never anticipated.

I immediately knew in my heart that I was gazing at a little boy that would be our only son. I sensed in my spirit that this would not happen to Pam and me again. It was so close to Christmas and such a miraculous event that it almost seemed like a dream. But when the nurse placed him in my arms, the dream was replaced with a startling sense of realness. Not only of the present, but I was overtaken by the reality of what took place in Bethlehem long ago. The birth of Jesus was a truth I had known and believed for many years, but His birth suddenly had a presence in my heart like never before. Emotions beyond words flooded over me.

I carefully and nervously carried Seth back to spend a little time with his mom. It’s a time when you’re attempting to get a grip on all that is taking place but can’t seem to comprehend it all in the moment. Then my imagination began it’s workout. I was thinking, what if I was asked if I would be willing to allow authorities to take Seth away. He would have to suffer an agonizing death, but, – “what if” by doing so, I would be giving all people everywhere an opportunity to go free and live forever. Nice, decent, hard working folks as well as the worst and most wicked to ever live. All lumped together, nobody left out except by their own choosing. My answer, without hesitation, as a Dad looking upon my only son, – “No”.

When I left mom and baby at the hospital that night to drive home, I passed a church that had a nativity displayed. It was well lit and had a few people and animals gathered around a baby in a manger. My imagination subsided and gave way to this truth. There is a Father who gave an only Son willingly and lovingly. Not me! I knew I’d refuse. But this Father did it, He gave, and he wasn’t even asked. I traveled on toward the house while saying to myself, “this is Christmas, really Christmas. My favorite.”

The staff at Holy Name of Jesus Hospital (where Pam and I were also born) decorated the nursery and put Santa caps on their new visitors! Only a few hours old, Seth seems to be enjoying his new outfit!

Christmas morning at home under the tree. I don’t recall seeing any “wise men” but there were a few gifts that showed up from somewhere!

This picture was taken a few days ago. Seth’s first stocking was given to him by my grandparents, Papa and Nannie Kennedy. It is on our tree today, just as it has been every year since 1985.

Baby’s First Christmas music box, also on our tree today, still plays Silent Night. It was a gift from Uncle Tom and Aunt Pearl!

Later on Christmas Day, we made our first trip out. We bundled Seth and took him to Pawpaw and Nanny Davis’s for a wonderful Christmas dinner. And of course, another picture in front of the tree.

I surprised Pam with this Hummel nativity! We’ve probably had it for 8 years and it is always on display. We enjoy the simple way it tells the greatest love story!

Another special hand-made nativity crafted from corn shucks came all the way from Uganda. Our nephew Joel carefully packed it for the trip in a very crowded bag!

In a manger in Bethlehem, there lies a stranger in a foreign land,
Heaven’s joy in a manger makes my heart sing,
Holy love in a manger, Christ the King.

“We love because He first loved us”
1 John 4:19

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn , Life on Lakeshore Drive , Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Three Mango Seeds, Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm , Knick of Time , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict ,Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup