Phroneo

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Is or Not

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Soaring High

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Keep Looking Up

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Not of This World

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One of those Weekends

One of those Weekends02/21/2011

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"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."  Colossians 3:1



As I set down to write this morning, I have pushed "delete" almost as quickly as I have typed words.  The reason- my mind is full of lots of things, ideas, words, stories and news.  


I had a very busy weekend. 

One of those weekends filled with events and people.  I love both!  

One of those weekends filled with laughter.  There were people happy to celebrate life which brought great joys.  

One of those weekends filled with tears.  There were people grieving losses of a family member and the loss of a marriage. Both brought me to tears.

One of those weekends that lead to hope while talking to someone going through breast cancer.  

One of those weekends that introduce a new friends, as well as getting to wrap your arms around someone just off an airplane.

One of those weekends that lead to worship and praise while joining with others in songs and hymns.

One of those weekends that confirmed God is sovereign.  The sermon was right on with my current Bible study.  He knew I would need to hear it again.

One of those weekends with rain and shine.  

God reminded me once again.  I am raised with Christ.  I am to keep on seeking things above.  I am to be soaring on a difference level.  No matter what the day may bring; happy, sad, secure, lonely, rain or shine.   Did you have one of those weekends, too?

We will be studying Colossians 3 for a while, stay tuned.

Rain or Shine

Log into the website to read this blog.  This will be the last week that I will post here.

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Mom's Image

Genesis 1:26-27  God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." And God created man in His own image , in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Today is my mother's birthday.  Happy Birthday, mom!   You are probably thinking why this verse?  Why start off writing about a birthday?  How does your mom and this verse connect?  Let me explain. In describing us, God told us who we are like.  We have been created in God's image, a little statue or replica of God.   One thing I know about God is:  God is Love. God has placed his image of love within us.  We have the capacity to receive love.  We capable to give love.  My mom was created in God's image. My mom has always loved me, my dad and my brother.  She has shown love to others. Her compassion  toward others fills her heart.  Once her heart is full it flows out her eyes.  She is a people-person and loves people. Her heart is tender towards God's creation and the beauty around her.  Whether an animal, a sunset or a quiet snowfall she can enjoy them all. She loves her God.  I have never doubted my mom's love for her God, His Word or me. I am so glad that God created my mom in His image, with the ability to love.  Come to think of it, I am glad that I was created in His image with the ability to receive love-   the love of my mom! Happy Birthday, Mom.  I love you!

Love is alive

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Life Back to Normal

God's love isn't just for one day.  

 Romans 5:5  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.


It's the day after Valentine's Day.  
The flowers are loosing their petals.  
Your sugar high is now a low. 
The dinner and dishes are cleared.
Life goes back to normal. 


 If my valentine, only said "I love you" or only showed his affection for me one day a year, I would question and doubt his love.

  God's love for you is for more than just a one day celebration.  

  Paul lets us know that the Holy Spirit has been given to us by God and He will fill our hearts with His love.  That love is not just one day a year.  The Spirit keeps on filling and continues to fill our hearts with His love.
  

The Holy Spirit has an endless supply of God's love, because God is Love.  It will never run dry.   We can know that we are dearly loved.  We have the Holy Spirit filling us with His love.  
  

With that type of love, it will never be "Life back to normal"

Everyday is Valentine's Day

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Share the Love

A true woman shares the Love. 1 John 4:7, 11 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Beloved, if God so loved us we also ought to love one another." Last night I went to a new restaurant, Mezcal.  The food is traditional for the Oaxaca region in Mexico with 3 different mole sauces that you can choose from.  The place is so good, I didn't want to keep it to myself.  I just had to share it. God's love is so good, I just have to share.   If fact it is impossible to keep His love just to yourself.  John tells us this in the whole passage.  The love of God comes from God.  He loved us first. We have been born of God.  His love dwells in us.  We love one another. So go out and share the love today.   It's just too good to keep to yourself.

Identity Test

His true woman loves others.

• John 13:34-35  "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another.  By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another."

What does Jesus say identifies true Christians? 

• Attending church on Sundays  
• The way they talk or dress
• Carrying a big Bible to Bible Study
• Not smoking or drinking
• Putting lots of money in the offering plate
• None of the above

Correct Answer:  None of the above.

In the teaching lecture to his disciples the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gives them the answer. "They love one another."  It is the way that all men will be able to tell who are Jesus' disciples.

Are you passing the identity test?  Are you loving others?  

Our love for Him is measured by our love for others. 

More than Amazing Love

His true woman see and knows God's Love.

• Romans 5:8  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

God gives us the ultimate expression of love.  He gave us his only son, Jesus Christ to die in our place.
God love is loyal, pure and full of mercy. 

I am so glad that He didn't say, "Pam, get your act together and then I will love you." or "Pam, when you show me that you love me, then I will show you that I love you."

He showed us great love by sending Jesus, while we were still in our sinful, selfish state.

How amazing is the love of God?  Replace "amazing" with your word of choice. Crazy? Extravagant? insane? Great? Unusual? Mind blowing?  Unfathomable? Pure? Right?  

It is hard to put this kind of love into words.
Sit and meditate on how God loves you.  

Prayer:  Thank you, God.  You didn't just say "I love you,"  you showed your crazy love to me by giving me the greatest gift ever.  Let me live in your love.

How He Loves Me

 

 A true woman believes God's love.

• John 3:16  "God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

I believe that it is hard for us to accept the great love of God.  Let me give you just a few of my reasons:

1. God's love is so great.  He gave His Son.
2. God's love is so costly.  He gave His only Son.
3. God's love is so vast.  He loves the whole world.
4. God's love is important.  He gives life.
5. God's love is eternal.  He gives eternal life.

How great the love of God! Oh how He loves you and me.
Time to break into song:  "Oh love of God, how rich and pure..." 

first love

Since there is one week before valentine's day and little red hearts are in the stores, I will devote the next 5 blogs to Love.


A true woman loves.

• Genesis 22:2  Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom youlove, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Abraham had been promised a son by God.  After years of waiting, Isaac was born.  You have to believe that Abraham deeply loved, adorned and doted over his son.

God comes to Abraham and says "take Isaac, whom you love...".  The word "Love" is used in the Bible for the first time, here in this verse, by God. I think that I could safely say that God loves first.    God was testing Abraham's love.

Our First Love must be God.  He says that we are to have no other gods before Him.  Jesus, in the New Testament also stated that we are to love God will all...

Take a moment and search your heart.  State your love for God.  Sing Him a song.  Write Him a love note.  Meditate on His great love for you.  Look for hearts today.

First Love

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Look Out!

A true woman say "Yes, Lord."
She makes personal sacrifices with her time and resources for Kingdom of God.

• 1 Timothy 6:17-19 "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Most of us will read right past this verse.  We don't consider ourselves rich.  Rich are the Bill Gates or the Oprah Winfrey's of this world.  

The average income of the world is $7,000 a year.  Just the fact that you are reading this on your computer, means you are rich, probably in the top 70% of the world.

Our resources are to be used for the Kingdom of God.  To do good, to not just think of ourselves.  

Take inventory.  What resources do you have?  How are they being used?  Where are you laying up your treasure for the future?  Here are some ways:

Give to those in need; Run an errand for an elderly person;  When getting your groceries-ask a neighbor if you can pick them up something, too;  Volunteer at Kids Club or to listen to a student read; Clean out a drawer or cabinet, give items to those going on a mission trip;  Write a note of encouragement; Visit someone in the hospital or nursing home (call the church for a current list); Smile; say "Thank you, you are doing a great job." to a cashier; 

Do something without others knowing: Pull some weeds at the church; Shovel snow for another; Leave a gift on a front porch; give a gift card-"just because"; Pray for someone not on your list; 

There are actually lists of "Ways to Be Kind".  I don't think the issue is that we don't have any ideas or see a need, we are selfish and self-centered.  We need to look out.

The point is look outside yourself.  Use your time and money with an eternal perspective.