Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NIV
Happy Tuesday! Have ever just wanted to avoid other people and be by yourself all the time. From what I have observed people who elect to remain alone with little interaction with others fail to meet the happiness that is available to them. It could be argued that they also have less aggravation. However, when we work and play together we grow. 
Jesus taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 19:19). We all have different groups of people with which we associate. For example, I have my family, my church family, my friends, my Bible Study sisters, my colleagues at work, and the list goes on and on. If you attend church and immediately leave after the service on Sunday morning, you are missing a big part of worshipping God. You are missing the fellowship that comes from working and enjoying the friendship of other Christians. I have found our church family to be much like my own family. We are there to lift each other up and reach 
out to others. We enjoy preparing meals and eating together. We learn together and work in different ministries together. While we may not always agree and sometimes have disagreements, we grow closer through our relationships.
The same is true of our work and other relationships. As a group we can accomplish more than alone. At the end of the day, the ties that bind us are stronger than the issues that we face from time to time. When one person is missing, we are unable to function in the same manner. I heard one minister use a net to explain this concept. When there is one section of the net missing, it doesn’t work as well. While there can be some frustrations with relationships with others, it is like the familiar Alfred Lord Tennyson quote “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”.
Today, take a chance on other people. God bless you.
Happy Friday! This morning I’m reflecting on all the ways God has worked in my life this week. I’m suddenly aware of how our faith can be at different levels. When I was younger, I read the Bible and questioned whether the stories were true. I felt something, but my faith was very low. I only had enough faith to want to believe. Later, I accepted Christ. I believed what I read and knew God was working in my life, but I justified actions that were not acceptable. I was like a baby Christian Learning how to walk in faith, still crawling most of the time. Over time, I turned more and more to prayer, but I didn’t see my own faults. I just couldn’t figure out what was wrong in my life. I began studying the Bible more and listening to ministers. I was walking in faith and seeing my faults more clearly. I strived to be better and began taking classes. The more I studied, the more God showed me.
know in my life there have been some situations that lasted years before I had a breakthrough. The problem wasn’t with God, but me. The breakthrough came when I was able to stay devoted and learn the lesson. I might be a little stubborn, because it usually takes a while for me to learn the lesson. However, once I understand, I make the necessary changes.
God. Keep the faith. Study His word and pray regularly. The answer may be no now, but the result is probably good down the road.
Happy Thursday! It is a beautiful day and my heart is full of joy after spending time with Anna and Landon yesterday. Although it had not been long since I last saw them, it seemed like much longer. There is nothing quite like hugs from your children and grandchildren. Landon and I went to the yogurt shop, where he decorated his chocolate yogurt with candied frogs and worms. Then, we played superheroes. So much fun!
So, you might wonder how to wear the love of God. It’s simple. Everywhere you go love the people around you. Give them support and cheer them on to excellence. Be there to help whenever you can without expecting anything in return. Love those you don’t really like, and do it because you love God. Make good decisions, but don’t judge. Show respect for those in authority, and know that God put them there. Often there are details you may not know prompting their decisions. Spend your time trying to brighten the day of those around you, and be willing to give more than you take. Wake up in the morning determined to spread God’s love everywhere you go. When in doubt look to the Holy Scriptures for further guidance.
