Thorns

Those thorns we spoke about yesterday?  Christ died for those thorns.  He wore a painful "crown of thorns," perhaps symbolic of his "taking on" all our wrong deeds and imperfections.

We love Him and others because He first loved us, and while we were still sinners, He died for us!  We choose to love our thorny companion because Christ first loved us, thorns and all. 

Remember how, over time and sacrifice, we learn to focus on the rose and not the thorns?  It becomes easier because the thorns begin to lose their sharpness through the mutual love and sacrifice of the relationship.  Some of the thorns even fall off, but there still remains a mark, a memory of what it took for that to happen.  The mark is a beauty mark of age and time. 

TV~ When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns..., Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"   [John 19:5]

A Rose (Among Thorns)

When we first fall in love with someone, we view that person as a rose with few, if any, thorns.  We enter into the relationship enjoying the fragrance of that person. 

Time passes.  Thorns begin to appear.  Thorns that were always there, possibly visible, possibly not visible.  We begin to notice the thorns; we are hurt by the thorns; we bleed.  We start focusing on the thorns, avoiding them or battling them.  We respond in thorny ways, further exacerbating our loved one's thorns.  It would seem that the beloved rose flower has dried up and fallen off.

What to do?  Treat that rose plant with loving care.  Feed it, water it; meet its needs. Give it to God's care; pray.  It may take a long, long time, months, years.  Over time, the plant will begin to revive, grow and flower once again.

Then we will see that rose again, and while recognizing the thorns, we will focus on the rose and enjoy the fragrance and beauty of this person for whom we have denied our own needs, in order to bring that loved one new life. 

TV~

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.  [2 Corinthians 8:21]

Thirsty?

If we are thirsty, we are promised free use of the fountain of the water of life.  (Revelation 21:6)   The woman at the well was told that the water Christ would give her would become in her a fountain, springing up into everlasting life.  The scriptures allude to this fountain as being the Holy Spirit.

"The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well." (Cyril of Jerusalem, 4th century)


TV~
All my fresh springs are in thee.  [Psalm 87:7]

S.A.F.E.

Trying to decide if he or she is the one for you?  Here is a healthy, balanced way to observe the person you are dating within different contexts.

S ~ Do something spiritual together on a regular basis.  Go to church, attend a Bible study, pray together.  See if you connect with each other on the spiritual level.

A ~ Find something active that you enjoy doing together.   Need ideas....walking, cycling, running, tennis, swimming, sailing, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, social dancing, fishing, gardening, croquet, hunting, bowling....

F ~ Spend enough time with family to understand the dynamics.  Do you enjoy being with them?  Does your date enjoy being with them?  If you love the atmosphere, show some restraint in amount of time spent as it could complicate things should the dating relationship end.

E ~ Participate in something that is  effective and service-oriented.  Think beyond yourselves and consider how you, together, can make a positive difference in the lives of others. 

S.A.F.E. is not a bad formula for a married couple to adopt as well. 

TV~
Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. [Romans 13:13]

Somebody Praying

One of the jobs that a caring spouse takes on is to pray for this person with whom you are journeying through life.  If you aren't praying for that precious person, then who is?  Is there anyone who knows, better than you, what to pray?  You know him more deeply than anyone else on the planet, and you are on the pulse of his current struggles, dreams, fears, discouragements, and .... weaknessess. 

We have a choice: We can fight with our life partner when things are rough.  Or, we can fight for him.

TV:
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  [Exodus 17:11]

24 Things Not Found in Heaven

I happen to be a "list" person. Not a day passes without writing a list, following a list, or using a clipboard.  Here's a list for you.

24 Things Not Found in Heaven

 1.  Devil
 2.  Beast
 3.  False prophet
 4. Tears
 5.  Death
 6.  Sorrow
 7.  Crying
 8.  Pain
 9.  Former things
10. Temple
11.  Sun (see No Sunshine in Heaven)
12.  Moon
13.  Lamp
14.  Anything that defiles
15.  Anything that causes abomination
16.  Lies
17.  The curse
18.  Prophecying in part
19.  Speaking in tongues
20.  Knowing in part
21.  Seeing dimly 
22.  Closed gates
23.  Written names of some people (in the Lamb's Book of Life)
24.  The people mentioned in #23

(Revelation 20:10, 14, 15;21:4, 22-27; 22:5; I Corinthians 13:8-12)

TV:

"And there shall be no more curse..."  [Revelation 22:3a]

Getting a Lift

Depression - Being stuck in quicksand, sinking, and no way to get out...apart from God.  "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." (Psalm 40:2)

God tells us that He will lift us out of the mire, but I think we need to reach up and grab the lifeline that he's throwing to us.  If it is so bad that we can't even reach up, then reach out to God with words.  "I can't even lift up my hand to grab your lifeline.  I don't even want to.  So, please change my desires and give me strength so that I can say, 'I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.'" (Psalm 27:13)


 TV:
But you, LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up...  [Psalm 41:10]