Tag Archive | Love

Little Isabel’s Christmas Joy – Part 6

Dec15

 

“He’s here, He’s here. Everybody come and see” Isabel called from the foot of the stairs, “He’s finally here!”

“Who’s here?” Papa said as he rubbed his chin and smoothed his hair which was sticking out in every direction.

“You mean he was here, don’t ya’ Sis?” Eugene said as he slid down the banister and bumped into Mama who ran from the kitchen to see the commotion.

“No! He’s here in the parlor. He’s here – just as He said!”

“Isabel dear,” Mama said softly, what do you mean?”

Isabel took Mama’s hand and ran directly to the stable. She cried out in delight as she looked into the eyes of the Baby Jesus lying in the manger. “All those years, we waited and waited and He Came!”

“Oh, Isabel dear, Jesus came almost 2000 years ago. We celebrate Christmas because He came. The carved baby in the manger is just a reminder that He came. You know that this is kind of a picture that represents Him.  Something we can hold onto as we read God’s Word but it’s just an object. We mustn’t make an idol. You know this doll isn’t Jesus.”

“Yes Mama, I know that. But He came, didn’t He?” Isabel said as her eyes filled with tears. He came because He loved us, right? That’s what Eugene and Curtis said from the Bible.”

“Yes, child,” Mama said softly.

“Jesus loves me Mama and I love Jesus.”

Papa moved in closer, picked her up and held her tightly as she held Baby Jesus in her hand.

“You’re right, Isabel,” Papa said and wiped a tear from her cheek. “We love Him because He first loved us and you know what?”

Isabel shook her head from side to side.

“He’s coming again!”

“He is?” Isabel pushed back to see Papa and Mama’s faces. “Will he be in a stable?”

“No, but He will be riding on a white horse and will come as The King of King and Lord of Lords!”

“We will see Him?”

“Yes Isabel,” Mama said as she wiped the tears from Isabel’s eyes. “We talk to Him every time we pray and He speaks to us through His Word, The Bible! It is my prayer that someday you, your brothers and sisters will receive Christ as your Savior. We will live with Him forever.”

Isabel looked at the image in her hand, at her parents, and to the image again. Finally closing her eyes and said, “Jesus I love you because You first loved me. Thank you for coming! Thank you for Christmas!

“Mama,” she whispered before we look in our socks and open presents, may we sing?”

“That would be wonderful, Isabel. What shall we sing?”

“Joy to the world the Lord has come!”

~*~

What about you, friends? Is your focus on The Son of God, Jesus who gave His life for you or are you focusing on the external trappings that often draw our attention away from Him?

Christmas isn’t about the tree, the decorations, the  Carols, or even the gifts.

It is about God’s love for you.

“We love Him because He first loved us.”

I John 4:19

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. 

He who believeth in Him is not condemned: but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:16-18

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 3:36

Why did God send His only begotten son – knowing that He would be the sacrifice for our sin? Because He loves us.

God is Holy and cannot look upon sin and yet He loved us – even though we are sinners – and longs for us to be redeemed from the penalty of sin. This is what Jesus did for you and for me. He took the penalty of sin in His own body on the cross. He gave His life so that you and I will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

When I first heard the Gospel in 1968, I did not immediately receive Christ as my Savior. I was a quiet child and everyone told me that I was “good.” This is not true. I am a sinner. It took me a week to realize it.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God:

Being justified (made upright and in right standing with God) freely by His grace (unmerited favor of God) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:23-24

One night, after a week of conviction that I am a sinner; I could practically see Jesus suffering, dying on the cross for my sin! In the wee hours of the morning, I got on my knees and confessed to Him that I am a sinner and asked Him to save me. Trusting completely in His redemption; He saved me. He Redeemed me. (Bought with a price – the precious shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.) Oh, what a gift He offered to me and to you!

“For the wages of sin is death; (separation from God) but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

So dear friends, this Christmas please look past the manger and see the Gift of God – to you! Receive it just as you would receive a gift from a loving father. It is a gift that you cannot lose and it cannot be taken away. It is yours forever! 

Have a blessed Christmas!

Kathy

Fruit of the Spirit Eggs and So Much More! Katherine H. Purdy©

Mar31

                    Years ago when I taught preschool, Sunday School and spoke in AWANA, I always used a tool as I taught the Bible lesson so that the children would remember. That tool may be flashcards, flannel graph, or something the children could participate in. 

This especially worked for the older children. For example, at Easter, I used “Gospel Eggs” with correlating scripture cards. The children took turns opening the egg and the one with the corresponding card stood and read the scripture. Now you can buy Gospel Eggs at the Christian bookstore. (I always included Bible verse cards printed on business card paper so that they would remember the lesson.) To make sure I used as many senses as possible, candy or some treat was included. 

Earlier tonight, I was thinking about the children who came to our home each day for childcare. One Friday before Easter, I had planned to have an Easter Egg hunt but everything that could happen did happen. The Eggs weren’t ready and it was raining outside. Did I say rain? I meant pouring rain! 

While the children were napping, I made colorful eggs out of an old wallpaper sample book and hid them all around the playroom and den. The children were so happy! One would think they were chocolate covered eggs but I think it was the thrill of the search! Sugar from their Easter party might have attributed to their excitement.As I remembered the good old days with “my kiddos” and worked on the Easter blog, the thought came to me that it would be interesting to go beyond “Easter eggs” and emphasize how we change when we receive Christ as our Savior

 

 

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I know this is a little crude but I think it gives you an idea of what I had in mind. We could also add the attributes of God. Of course, We could also include the Passover, Death, Burial, Resurrection of Christ but they are taught with the Gospel eggs. We could add the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ too. Just a new way to present the Gospel and growing in the grace and knowledge of The Lord Jesus Christ. Painted wooden shaped eggs with the messages on them and hanging on a tree would be a good example of growing as we trust Him and read God’s Word.

 

Fruit of the Spirit Eggs would be for older children but it would be fun to make some as a reminder of how we can be like Him. If anyone uses this illustration, I would love to hear about it or see pictures! 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Corresponding Verses:

  • LOVE – (Unselfish care for others) 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

  • JOY

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

  • PEACE

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”

John 14:27

  • LONGSUFFERING (Patience)

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Colossians 1:11-12

  • GENTLENESS (Kindness and Humility)

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,”

2 Corinthians 10:1

  • GOODNESS

“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10-11

  • FAITH (Adhering to, Relying on, and completely trusting)

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1 (The Faith Chapter!)

  • GRACE – (Receiving that which we do not deserve.Unmerited favor by God.)

When I was a teen at Colonial Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, VA. I heard this definition of Grace and it has stuck with me. I have quoted it often when teaching children. I think it may have been Dr. B.R. Lakin or Pastor Elbert M. Yeatts but I am not sure. They are both with the Lord now. It goes something like this: “If a little boy comes into the kitchen as Mama takes bread out of the oven and he asks for a slice and she cuts the bread and then hands it to him; that’s Mercy. However, if she first slathers that hot bread with butter and jam – that’s Grace!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

MEEKNESS – (Humility, lowliness, kindness)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”  I Peter 3:15-18

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

“What shall we then say to these things? If be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:31-39

Happy Valentines Day!

Feb13

Valentines! Just the word brings delight and joy to many. As children, we decorated bags with hearts and tissue paper flowers and knew that class would be cut short on Valentines Day for a class party where parents sent cookies, cupcakes and children exchanged Valentines Day Cards – one for every child, of course. No one likes to be left out! We all looked for a card from that special someone and cherished that card. Sometimes, that special card came with candy if the boy was smart!

Junior high school girls through college age are giddy and nervous on that day. Preparing for a banquet, receiving flowers or candy and a card or dreading the thought of not receiving anything from anyone. Men like to say that “Valentine’s Day is just a day the merchants invented so that people would spend more money.”  They certainly have benefit from the “man made” holiday but it began in honor of a man who loved the Lord. He was martyred on February 14th along with others centuries ago. At first, it was a day to honor “Saint Valentine.” However, romance was added around the 15th Century. I don’t think Hallmark was around then.

Before John and I were married, Mother Purdy pulled out a box filled with family treasures. Pictures, poetry, and a fascinating card. Her father had sent it to her mother when they were courting. I’m not sure about the time frame but it must have been around 1900. It was a very decorative card, with questions on it that he hoped she would answer in the affirmative. It reminded me of cards we made in the third grade. It was sweet, pure and heartfelt. Oh, to have a copy to share with you! I must add that Clarence and Emma married, had five wonderful children and from the pictures I have seen and stories I have heard, the kindle of their love was never extinguished.  I looked at that card with stars in my eyes as my husband-to-be gave me a bright smile, revealing adorable dimples.

Our first Valentine’s Day was the most special February 14th I had ever had. The Lord had brought John into my life and joy too.

For those who are hurting today because of the loss of a loved one or it seems that you are destined to be single. Don’t lose heart. Keep your focus on Him. After all, what greater Valentine than to know that the God who created the universe loves you. He has the number (or lack thereof) of hairs of your head and knows your heartache, collects your tears in a bottle also knows your joys and His plan for you. Look to Him, my friend. Delight in Him through His Word and prayer. His timing is perfect. Trust Him.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 (KJV)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”  John 3:16-17

“Herein is love is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins,” I John 4:10

Now, that is LOVE!

Happy Valentines Day Friends! Praying you will joy in His love today.

Love,

Kathy

Sharing God’s Love

Feb4

Mark 12-30 Rose by Mekel Rice

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 

I John 4:19

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

I John 4:10-11

We often speak of love as if it is a fuzzy feeling akin to having beautiful butterflies in our tummies and warm, tender thoughts. There is a time when this is an indication that there is a possibility of caring which will lead to a relationship but this isn’t love. This is a transient feeling that can change with the emotions.

I was recently reminded of one of my wonderful college professor’s definition of Agape` love – otherwise known as “Godly love.” (There are three words for love in the Greek but Agape` love is what I want to address this valentines day.)

Dr. Robert Delnay’s definition was; “Love is to purpose the good of another without the expectation of benefit to oneself.” (I hope I remembered this correctly. He had us set this to memory several decades ago.) In other words, To do what’s best for someone else without expecting something in return.

After all, we have the greatest example of all in John 3:16-18.

“For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

You see, He saw our need and made the greatest sacrifice to provide our need for a Savior. He filled that need by sending His only begotten to take our punishment (even though He was sinless) so that we will have everlasting life – with Him!

“Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou, my God shouldst die for me!”

~*~

Candy is sweet and flowers have beauty but the love of our Savior is indeed the greatest gift of all. Won’t you receive His gift of love to you today?

Happy Valentines, dear friends. May your joy be full as you celebrate Valentines Day in Him!

If you would like to know how to love one another, check out I Corinthians 13 and apply it to your life this week. I know I will.

Love in Him,

Kathy

 

Love Is…

Mar15

One of my college professors at Piedmont Bible College defined love as:

“To purpose the good of another without benefit to oneself.” (Dr. Robert Delnay)

I Corinthians 13 tells us how.

Graphic by falalalovely

 

To Do List by the Shepherdess of Nevrdun

Dec16

My friend sent this message in her newsletter today and I thought her wisdom may apply to us this week as we strive to get everything done by Christmas! (I included the visuals for effect ;-))

Love, Kathy

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First sent December 19, 2007 . . .
How is your “to do” list?
Too long to fit on the scrap of paper you started writing it on? Is it as disorganized and scattered as you feel right now? Maybe it is filled with scratches and scribbles and coffee dribbles.
Or maybe it is trim and tidy, with jobs listed in priority, and completed items crossed off with a thin, neat line.
Whichever the case, let’s not forget to include the word, “love.”
“Love is the duty of the present moment.” (Jean-Pierre de Caussade) Even when we’re feeling stressed, time pressured, over-committed, tense, tugged, stretched, and sagging under the strain, love is still our duty, our obligation, our divine service, our act of worship.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1
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Meet Alice

Jan28

Welcome home, Alice!

Alice in her cage at the Animal Hospital. They let her out often to greet customers.

Welcome home Alice! Hope you like it here!

This is Alice, the newest member of our family. We first met Alice in September when we were moving into our new house. We had let our two Maine Coons, Skippy and Ruby spend the night at the “kitty spa”. As we entered the Vet’s office this tiny kitten greeted us. It was love at first sight. She practically jumped into my arms and started purring and giving me kitty kisses.  The following day when we picked up the Purdy duo, Alice tugged at my heart strings again. I almost couldn’t bear to leave her there!

John took Skippy to get his two-year-old check up last week and Alice was still there. Greeting everyone who came in, running around and enjoying life. John asked about her and they said that someone had seen this tiny kitten walking along the road where someone had left her. Apparently, they couldn’t keep her so they brought her to the vets office. She has been there ever since. Other kittens have come and gone but for some reason, no one wanted Alice – except us. Maybe she was there for us. We both have birthdays coming up and John wanted to get her for me.

In the past, all of our kittens had been rescue kitties or they have literally walked up to our door, waiting for us to take them in. Of course, who can bear to think of a hungry critter running around in the cold needing someone to care for them? I used to say that “every time I pray for a baby to adopt, He sends a stray kitten or two instead.” They were cuddly, sweet and loved to snuggle.  Our Maine Coons on the other hand, are sweet and love to be near us but they aren’t as cuddly as our other cats had been. They will sometimes sit on our lap for a few minutes and will curl up on the bed, begging for a tummy rub and then they wander to the foot of the bed until they get hungry.  John can pick them up for a minute or two but at 16 and 18lbs, that is a difficult task for me. So it seems more like Skippy and Ruby are “Daddy’s cats.” Did I mention their intelligence? They are very smart and love to “hang out with me” but Moms know how it is. Empty arms.

We picked Alice up today and she was still giving out kitty kisses and loves to snuggle with her head against our shoulder, purring so loudly it sounds like a lullaby. She is so tiny! She couldn’t weigh three pounds! For that reason, we are introducing her to Ruby and Skippy slowly, while she is in the kitty cage. For a few nights, the master suite is the nursery. If my other sweet angels cry because the door is closed, I will have to put Alice in her cage. If not, I will have a kitten to spoil and cuddle. (Ruby usually cries if she is not with us so we’re praying she will be content tonight.)  Skippy seems to be fine with our new family member. Ruby ran to her “safe hiding place” after mildly objecting. After all, she has been “the baby” for almost two years. Time will bond them as friends and sisters. I’m sure of it.

"I'll watch out for you, little sis!"

Ruby checking out her competition from a distance. I know they will be best friends!

Play time!

This little gal is fast!

If falling in love with a kitten and having to leave it behind for four months, I cannot imagine what it is like for my friend, Bonnie Sue Walker who has been waiting seventeen months for their little Jedidiah’s adoption to go through and that Wayne will be allowed to bring him from Thailand to live in the United States with them – his adopted family!

Pray for Jedidiah to come home.

Think of what it means to the Lord for us to want to be with Him. To be near Him and snuggle close in faith. Kind of makes one think, doesn’t it? He loves you, my friend, and always has!

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore in lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3