For His Service

Russell and I try to model selfless love to our kids, but , to often they still tend to do what they want to do.....without considering the other person.    And ..too often they look for ways to torment each other instead of blessing each other. (Here Noah is photo bombing as I am trying to get a photo... perfect example). One day, maybe they will "treat others as they want to be treated" and "Love others as yourself". Until then, here is a little boy that seems to get that! Enjoy!  (41 seconds you won't forget...may we strive for this as well)! John 13 :  34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Romans 12 Love in Action 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but ...

Here is one of my favorite picture. Madeline Virginia is being loved on by her name sake, Maxine Virginia (Russell's grandmother).   Grand-mama had the same outgoing personality that Madeline has.  Both are fun-loving, talkative, friendly, bubbly personalities. So, we have certain foods that we only eat at Christmas time: sausage balls, homemade fudge, and homemade peanut butter/ chocolate candies. Here is Maxine Virginia's fudge recipe...in her own writing. Teddy Bears, lights and candy wrapped around the banister  I just painted the stairs in rainbow colors... LOVE IT! Now, we are busy decorating for Christmas.  This year, I made a pallet sign (O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord) to display over our mantle..and try to make the house look as cheerful as possible.   Praising Him for His abundant blessings...

This little girl got it right!  She thanks God for EVERYTHING she sees.  May we understand...really, really understand that everything we have comes from HIM! Happy Thanksgiving Day! Psalm 118 1 Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord ; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but i...

Olivie', my deaf two year old Papillion-poodle on the left, is watching Dirk, my 10 year old Schnauzer-poodle on the right.  She watches his body language to try to figure out what is going on..and how she should respond.  You can see her looking at me and then... watching his body to see what HER next move should be.     She has done this for some time.   As I AGAIN observed her doing this, I thought this is such a good lesson for women.  We have to know that other women are watching us to see how we respond when our children are hard to parent....when our husbands hurt our feelings.... when we get in a fuss with a neighbor...etc.    We also need to know that we can reinforce bad thoughts in our friends.... even on accident.   If Dirk decided to act inappropriately and jump up, Olivie' would as well.  If Dirk started barking, even though Olivie is deaf... she would do the same.   If Dirk ran to the front door, so would Olivie. ...

So love can fail if I don't feel that my spouse or friend isn't being easy to love?  So my love can fail if I feel someone else can love me better?    So my love can fail if being together isn't fun anymore?  So my love can fail  if I feel that God wants me to be happy ...even though Christ was a "man of many sorrows"?   (Isaiah 53:3).   We KNOW these things aren't true...but we often choose not to live this way. Read 1 Corinthians  13 1If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [ a ] as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers ( [ b ] the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in ...