Steppin' out with Joy!

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” --George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), Man and Superman

How’s that for a quote to kick off the week AND the month of March? I don’t know about you, but his words stir me to action! This month we turn our focus from the first Fruit of the Spirit, love, to the second one—JOY. In my preparation for the posts this month, I did a little research on the word joy, just to see what I came up with. One common thing that kept popping up:

Joy is in the doing, the experience.

Happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes, while Joy is a state of mind, a way of being. Joy comes from the inside and is not brought about by outside stimuli. The people/things around us might add to that joy, but true joy—that state of being—comes from within. Mr. Shaw’s quote says true joy is in three things:

1. True joy is in having a purpose. Everyone is born looking for their purpose in life, where they fit in, why they’re here. Some people find it easily, others search for years. For me, it is in knowing that I am a wife, mom, and writer—it is my purpose to exemplify God’s love to these people and through my ministry.

2. True joy is in a job well done. Okay, so that’s not exactly what Mr. Shaw says. He says “being thoroughly worn out”, which given the context tells me it’s about completing a task knowing you gave 100%. Do we give our all all the time? Or are we merely shells wandering through life doing the bare minimum that is expected of us?

3. True joy is in being a force of Nature. I love this one. It ties in nicely with #2. A force of Nature is unstoppable. A person with this joy doesn’t let life get in the way. Too often, when things don’t go our way, when things go wrong, we shut down. We make excuses. We need to take charge of our lives, make examples of ourselves, and be the light in the world.

What does that have to do with us here at Encourage. Empower. Extend.? I’m glad you asked. People are naturally attracted to joyful people (not to be confused with overly perky). Joyful people are more positive, less self-centered, and possess that “it” thing that curiosity demands an explanation for.

More than all that, joyful people spread that joy around. The best joy is the joy that can be divided is a paraphrase of another famous quote. Despite what some may claim people want to be happy. Joy brings people together.

If joy is action and experience, what brings us joy?

Most people you ask will say family, friends, faith in the Lord. And there’s a reason. When we interact with those closest to us, our love is reflected and that stimulates joy. For me, I can’t beat a day hanging out with my husband and kids—whether it’s an afternoon at the beach or veggin’ in front of the TV on PJ day.

Love produces joy, they feed into each other, a big circle.

For your own reflection, what brings you joy, and why?

Hot Confessions...

Ha- I thought the title would grab your attention! –lol  

            Recently, I’ve decided to take some lessons in writing because I want to improve my skills.  My goal is to edit my own papers and feel more confident over all.   I’ve asked a friend of mine, Ana, to help me in this endeavor- God help her!  She comes to my house once a week and I’ve enjoyed the one on one mentoring.  We’ve had a few laughs as I’ve fumbled my way through: apostrophes, commas, colons, and hyphens.  This is treacherous ground for the weak hearted!  But, I appreciate someone who can have fun and teach at the same time. 

            She has been good for me because of her no-nonsense approach.   Trust me, I need it!  I have the same teaching style when dealing with others.   There is only one small problem; I can’t get anything past this girl.  Believe me-I’ve tried!   I guess the Lord knew who to send me. She is helping me stretch into new places as a writer, and I am grateful for the challenge.  However, my flesh and insecurities still get the best of me at times. Yet, she is there to kick the faith into me.   Yesterday was one of those days.  My friend asked me, “Do you think you are good writer?”  Bewildered, I sat there for a moment unable to answer.  Define good, please, I thought.    Honestly, I couldn’t answer that question with confidence.  “Sometimes, I think I am.”  She responded something to the point, “Why write if you don’t believe in yourself?”   Ouch-that hurt! But, she was right.   It was the hit between the eyes that made me see my lack of faith.  I thought of Jesus touching the blind man’s eyes and healing him instantly.   Matthew 9:29 says,   “Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you.”   I wanted healing in this area…

            For the rest of the day, I prayed this up to the Lord, asking Him what my problem was.  His answer, “You’re the problem!”  Ouch, again!   Proverbs 23:7 says, “As He thinks in his heart, so he is.”  The revelation...I had no faith in my writing.  Worse than that, I’ve not believed that God could overcome my weakness. Hello?   This may come to a surprise to some of you who know me.  I usually am the faith girl.  However, did I mention for everyone else?  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken small steps with my writing through the years, but God was showing me a heart issue that was keeping me back.   I had believed a lie that I was not a good writer.  If God made me, then everything about me is good-including my writing! 

            After seeing my lack of faith, I confessed it to the Lord immediately.  There is power in confession because it helps you come out of sin and into the truth that empowers you! God is so gracious to forgive us quickly and completely.  Fear is the opposite of faith and it is a sin; God commands us to have faith.   Once I confessed, I felt free to take on a new mind set.  It was as if I could literally  feel God remove that old wineskin, so that I can have provision to hold some new wine.  Let the new wine flow, Lord!  I was grateful for the revelation of my heart and even more grateful to my friend for revealing it to me.  Thank you, Ana!

            Today, what confessions do you need to make when it concerns faith?  Where are you struggling?  Allow God’s love to empower you today with the truth of His word.  Get the revelation and love the confession- I know I do!

           

Words Go Around and Around...

Have you ever experienced kind words spoken to you that simply impacted you in ways you never imagined?  I simply love the power behind words. Yesterday, I was given two compliments that made me smile.  It was like receiving  a hug from God, leaving me feeling  special all day!   While having a conversation with a woman, she says to me out of the blue, “How do you do your hair because I’ve always loved it?”  My response at first was, “Really?” I was shocked that she even noticed me, never mind my hair.  I thanked her and told her that she had just made my day because I’ve always felt like my hair needed Jesus to do a miracle on it.    So, off I went with pep in my step!

  Within the hour, another precious, older lady blessed me beyond measure with her words too.  She was visiting my bible study class with her daughter.  Afterward, she walked up to me and said, “You certainly are a gifted young lady and you blessed me today with your teaching!”  I simply wanted to cry because my heart was so touched.   Again, I was taken back with what I was hearing.    All I could say was, “Thank you and I receive that!”  I meant it; I received what she was saying to me because my prayer before class is that God would just allow me to glorify Him.   I haven’t always been able to accept compliments because I didn’t feel I deserved them.  Even now, it is still hard for me too, but I’ve learned that God loves me and He wants to pour down His love to me in ways that are real and meaningful.  I don’t know why He doubly blessed me yesterday, but it was better than any Hallmark card I've ever received.  I bet those ladies didn’t even know how much God used them, but I pray that God will shower them with His love too. 

                Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Yesterday, I got more than my fill of great fruit!  I simply loved those compliments and little did I know how much those kind words touched me.  You never know how your words can affect someone and I am so grateful for the reminder.  

              When was the last time you thought about the words you speak?   Take an opportunity today to empower someone with love and encouragement.  Sometimes those words can be as few as a hello, calling someone by their name, or simply acknowledging something special about another person;  whatever the case, never underestimate the power of a compliment.  Today, be loved and love those around you because this is what makes Christ go around!

Courage to Love

             

When my oldest daughter was younger she had a sign in her room that said, “Hate is easy but love takes courage.” We made that sign together because it was something important that I wanted to impart to her daily.  Love is never easy and takes commitment and courage to see it through.  There is nothing more important in life than learning to love.  Love is more than words and feelings.  In fact, love should be the driving force behind everything we do through actions.   In 1 John 3:18 it says, “ Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.”  So often people think that love is the equivalent of Valentine’s Day where sweet words make the difference. Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t like to hear, “I love you.” It is soothing to the ears but proving that is entirely different.

            I’ve experienced relationships where the so called “love” was just mere words.  God requires  His truth to  help empower our love towards others.  We are commanded to love one another.   For example, when relationships experience turmoil and forgiveness is required, it will take the choice to love that person to save the relationship.  God’s truth should be the deciding factor, not how we feel. However, most people won’t choose God’s truth and instead choose their pain and emotions.   Unfortunately, this is the make it and breaks it for all relationships.

  Do we have people in our lives that truly love with words or actions based off of God’s truth? More importantly, are we one of those people?  I’ll be honest with you that before I knew God and cherished His Word, I was not one of those people who loved easily.  In fact, I found it much easier to walk away from those tough love moments because it was easier for me. Notice I was focused on me and not the other person or more so God’s command to love!   Right there, I failed in love because love requires thinking of the other person first.  But God’s grace is sufficient and I have slowly learned to honor and obey God’s words over my feelings. I am learning to perfect love in my life. As you act on God’s Word, the love of God is perfected in you more and more.  That’s when love begins to flow from you to others.   I didn’t always know where the relationship might end up but faith requires love (Galatians 5:6).  Anything is impossible when a believer steps outside of love and refuses to forgive, or is strife with his brother.

Have you always chosen to be courageous and love at all costs according to God’s truth? If not, what can you do today to become a person that loves courageously and obediently? Sometimes it may seem impossible to love completely but God has created you for this very purpose and with things, all things are possible!

Love Begins at Home

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action." Mother Teresa

"The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." Confucius

Sometimes, when I take a step back to look at the world, my heart aches. I can see the absence of love and the toll that it has on people in their daily lives. It’s frustrating and creates a feeling of helplessness within me. So many people…and how many of them really know love?

Helplessness is inhibiting in and of itself. It causes many people to freeze. They look at the world and say, “But I am only one person.” Yet, there are so many people throughout history that instigated major change in the world, and they were only one person. Moses, Abraham, Paul, Peter—and to move outside the Bible, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, Rosa Parks, George Washington, the list goes on.

One of the key things to remember about making a difference is to start small. There’s a saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I think that what this world lacks most is selfless love. So, what can I do? Exemplify that selfless love.

At the moment, I am not in a position financially, mentally, or even physically to take on some big, world-changing battle for selfless love. However, I am in a position to start small.

Love begins at home.

If I love my family, and in turn treat them with the respect they deserve, they will learn to love and show it to others. How do we show love? “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22:39) The things we want for ourselves, we give to others. Time spent, opinions shared, listening ears, working together, being examples, showing kindness…basically just being there, sharing life.

So, don’t look further than you have to. There’s plenty to do right at home. And don’t think that it doesn’t make a difference. Like the ripples in the pond that Kimchi talked about last month, we don’t always see the far-stretching effects of the little things we do today.

Share the Love! (and a Winner!)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Did you know Valentine’s greetings have been popular since the Middle Ages? The written form didn’t appear until after 1400 AD, and the oldest known Valentine is in the British Museum. Interesting tidbits, right?

I love Valentine’s Day just because it is a celebration of love and romance. I know some people view it as another holiday propagated by big business, but not me. I think that these days we are all so busy rushing through our lives that I’m glad that there’s a holiday that reminds us to take time for the loved ones in our lives—be it a significant other or our family.

Let me tell you about one of the sweetest gifts I received from my husband. On our first Valentine’s together (we were still dating), my husband gave me a Valentine’s Barbie Doll. Yeah. At first, I was astounded…I had no idea what to say. A Barbie? Seriously?

On closer reflection, though, I realized that it was a symbol that he was paying attention. In my apartment, I had some rather expensive collector Barbie dolls on display that were given to me by a friend of my family. Although I had never mentioned them, he noticed. He noticed and he cared enough to invest in my interests. It’s not huge…no diamond earrings or vibrant roses, but perfect all the same.

And even to this day, my mom sends me a crisp $20 bill in a card with a little note telling me/us to splurge on my/ourselves. Not allowed to spend it on groceries or bills or anything “rational”.

Love comes in all shapes and forms and all kinds of fun! Here are some wonderful ways to show people you care:

1. Leave little notes around for them to find. I even heard a story about a mom and daughter who had an ugly shirt that somehow they started passing back and forth whenever they’d visit one another. The visitor would find a creative place to hide it where the other wouldn’t find it for awhile, and then when they found it, they would be reminded of the other person and their special bond.

2. Make a nice dinner—this can be for family or SO. Splurge a bit and get the good steak and whip up some fantastic sides. Light some candles. Use the good china. Or even make it a living room picnic!

3. Find your favorite photo, blow it up (doesn’t have to be huge), and find a nice frame. On the back of the frame, write a short blurb about why this is your favorite photo and then place it in a prominent spot for all to see.
4. Give them a call at work or on the cell just to say hi and tell them that you love them. Ask if there’s anything they need. Often when we call people, we have some ulterior motive, something we want. Make it all about them!

5. Show interest in a hobby of theirs. You may not be blown away by it, but you might learn something. Or better yet, pick up a new hobby together!

The nice thing about these suggestions is that they can be done anytime (not just V-day) for anyone. Now it’s your turn! What do you do to show your loved ones that you care? Or even better, what can we do to show those we barely know that we care?

Congratulations, Purple Love you are our winner for our Valentine's Day Giveaway!!!!!! Great job!!!!You earned 14 points in our final round giving you a total of 38 points. Also, Ana Iker,  great job on your answers too.  Unfortunately, purplelove was first in answering but you totaled 4 points for the ones she didn't answer.  Purplelove, please send me your name and address to my e-mail so I can send you your gift card. Here is my e-mail address: kimchilya4@yahoo.com

Thank you to all of you who participated.  It was a lot of fun watching each of you compete.  We hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Final Giveaway Round

Valentine's Day Giveaway Contest FINAL Round  (We will announce the winner on Valentine's Day!)

1. Shakespeare’s immortal lovers Romeo and Juliet were from what two noble Veronese families? 2 points

2. How Do I Love Thee is a poem by which Victorian-era poet? 2 points

3. What were the famous words spoken by Tom Cruise to his on-screen partner (Renée Zellweger) to win back her heart in the film Jerry Maguire? 2 points

4. Who is Fred Flintstone’s wife? 1 point

5. George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play Pygmalion was the basis for what successful musical and movie? 1 point

6. Cupid is the Roman god of love but the ancient Greeks had their own god. Who was he? 2 points

7. Which famous Australian actress married American talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres in 2008? 2 points

8. What romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks was based on the 1940 flick The Shop Around the Corner? 2 points

9. Baby-boomer couples on second honeymoons tour the countryside in caravans and motor homes such as the Winnebago. What’s the origin of that name? 2 points

10. Who was the pink-loving British author of more than 700 bestselling romantic novels who died in 2000 aged 98? 1 point

11. Can a man marry his widow’s sister? 1 point

12. Queen Victoria had an almost obsessive love for her husband, who died young. What was his name? 2 points

Valentine Day Recipe

Valentine's Day Heat Shaped Pizza   (All Recipes.com)

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
•  
• 1 (14 ounce) can pizza sauce
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 15 slices vegetarian pepperoni
• 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives

Directions

1. Place bread flour, yeast, water, and 2 tablespoons olive oil into the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the Dough setting. Press Start. When the dough is finished, knead rosemary into the dough.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Divide the dough into three portions. Shape each piece into a heart shape about 1/2 inch thick. Brush with remaining olive oil, and spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each pizza. Sprinkle cheese over pizza sauce, and arrange tomatoes, zucchini, pepperoni, and sliced olives on top.
4. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted and crust is browned.

Footnotes

• Tip
• Bake pizza on a pizza stone for best results.
• For more heart shapes, cut tomato into slices, and then cut slices into heart shapes. Do the same to the zucchini and the pepperoni.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 261 | Total Fat: 9.1g | Cholesterol: 18mg

Valentine's Day Giveaway Contest
Today, we are switching things up from movie quotes to simply love quotes. We will have one final question tomorrow and will announce the winner on Valentine's Day- Have a great Saturday!

1)“Love never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself.”

2)“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

3)“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”

4)“My heart to you is given: Oh, do give yours to me; Well lock them up together, And throw away the key.”

5)“Romantic love reaches out in little ways, showing attention and admiration. Romantic love remembers what pleases a woman, what excites her, and what surprises her. Its actions whisper: you are the most special person in my life.”

6)“Inside the heart of each and every one of us there is a longing to be understood by someone who really cares. When a person is understood, he or she can put up with almost anything in the world.”

7)“Come live in my heart, and pay no rent.”

8)"Men always want to be a woman's first love. Women have a more subtle instinct: What they like is to be a man's last romance."
 

9) “You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.”

Gotta Love Fridays!

 Thank God it is Friday! I look forward to it all week long because it represents the weekend ahead!
Today, I am going to keep it simple because we've had a busy week talking about love and all it entails. If you are like me, you like to take the weekends and spend it with family. I've got a great website where you can make some crafts for loved ones and friends to help prepare you for Valentine's Day on Monday.  I love this website because it has great ideas but it also has free helpful step-by-step videos too.
Hope you have a great Friday and even better weekend! Tomorrow I will have some cool recipes to share for that special someone in your life.

Valentine's Day Crafts:   http://crafts.slides.kaboose.com/266-our-favorite-valentine-s-day-crafts

Valentine's Day Movie Quotes Giveaway Questions

1)      " Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want. Go for it."

2)      " If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn. People die. But real love lives forever."

3)      " Love doesn't end just because we don't see each other anymore."

4)      " What will I give to live where you are? What would I pay to stay here beside you? What will I do to see you smiling at me?"

5)      " In these dreams I've loved you so, that by now I think I know what it's like to be loved by you. I will love being loved by you."

6)      " Let your heart guide you. It whispers so listen carefully."

7)      " I will find you. No matter how long it will take, no matter how far."

8)      " You will be doing anything For the one you love....Except love them again."

Love that Brew

This past week we’ve been discussing more about the subject of love and how we can love others, ourselves and forgiving with love. Today, I want to talk about love in the form of something enjoyable, easy and not so demanding but approachable. The love for coffee.

 Yes, I said coffee. I love coffee-all forms of coffee. I love it  made in various ways from an extra shot of  espresso, a foamy cappuccino, a creamy latte, and even those delightful frapuccinos.  If it has coffee in it then I am a happy girl!

Here are some interesting facts about coffee:

- 5 countries in the world grow coffee.

-Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world (oil is the first.)

-A Belgian named George Washington invented instant coffee in 1906.

 -Coffee has been used as a beverage for over 700 years.

-Black coffee with no sugar contains no calories.

-Drinking a single cup of coffee that has been brewing for 20 minutes provides the body with 300 phytochemicals which act as antioxidants and stay in the body for up to a month.

-In days gone by, Turkish bridegroom had to promise that they would always provide their new wives with coffee.

-A coffee tree lives for between 60 and 70 years.

-Worldwide, more 1400 millions cups of coffee are drunk every day.

-Caffeine, which is found in coffee, increases the effect of some painkillers, especially aspirin and paracetamol

Read more: http://gomestic.com/consumer-information/25-facts-about-coffee/#ixzz1DQqls7Bh

           

            There is something about coffee that makes me feel good from the moment I smell it brewing to it percolating. It’s a welcoming aroma that draws me every time! It’s like instant bliss to my senses.  I love hearing it being poured into my cup, I love wrapping my hands around a steaming mug of it, I love the taste and I love the possibilities that come with it.  What do I mean by that?

             Usually when I drink a cup of coffee, I am either reading a great devotional or another good book while savoring every last drop. It makes me feel relaxed, fulfilled and thankful for the small things in life.  Other times I am sharing it with family or friends over a loving and cozy conversation.  Sometimes, I simply drink alone and just ponder my day away.  It has become a must-have for me when I am writing. For some reason whenever I open my laptop and begin to pound on those keys, my coffee mug has to be in hand.  Coffee has become a force of habit for me and something I don’t even think about but naturally desire.  I know it sounds crazy and maybe it is an addiction, but like love it is something I can’t live without.  Love is the same way- it’ insatiable!

            In the end, it is more about enjoying the experience of coffee early in the morning while watching the sun rise or late in the evening ending my day.  Like love, it can be comforting to me like a friend that I can count on to keep me encouraged.  However, unlike love it isn’t fleeting.  I can count on coffee to be there as long as I go and purchase it.  Love on God’s terms is much the same-always available and purchased with the finest ingredients.   His love is ready for the taking, ready to warm you up on a cold day or be there for you over a long conversation.  More so, His love is a reminder that something’s are just meant to be treasured and savored slowly.  God’s love is the jolt of energy I need daily to get me moving!  

            So you see coffee has its place in this world, but love forces the world into existence with meaning that goes far beyond any brew I might obtain. What kind of love are you willing to brew up today and  who would you like to share it with?

I hope today you are filled with a love that gives you an experience you won’t forget.  Maybe it will be over coffee with a friend or maybe love will have you take coffee to a friend.  Either way, enjoy the possibilities of love because it is with brewing over….

Movie Love Quotes for Valentine's Day Contest ( Answer any of the following and receive 1 point for the giveaway)

1)“Love actually is all around us.”

2) “You are the only person that can make
my heart beat faster and slower at the same time.”
3) “There are only four questions of value in life.
What is sacred?
Of what is the spirit made of?
What is worth living for?
What is worth dying for?
The answer to each is the same. Only love.”

4) “I am someone else when I’m with you, someone more like myself.”

5) “Without a heart I can never really know what it would be like to love someone.”

6) “I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen.”

Taking Off a Pound of Flesh!

We’ve all either heard or read the following scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 that says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  Just reading all those tough requirements makes me want to break into a sweat. Especially on those days that I want to say, “I don’t wanna love!”  and I would rather sing ,“It’s my party and I will cry if I want to, cry if I want to!” In other words ,we all have our own self pity, and it’s all about me parties fighting love tooth and nail!

However, God’s word is very clear on this subject of loving people past their imperfections and sins. Love the person-hate the sin!  After all, God did this for us, so why wouldn’t we act in the same manner? If we say we love God, but can't forgive and  choose love then  we are hypocrites. We were created to love, molded by the very God who is love.   You are the one who has to make the decision to perfect love in your life. Making a decision to love and committing it to it -is no easy task.  In fact, there will be times when you would rather run a full marathon, be beaten by a stick then allow love to rule in your heart.   It will seem as if a pound of flesh is being torn off of you.  There will be times when it would be easier to become resentful, seek your own rights and retaliate into hiding or your corner of the ring then to choose love. 

 But we are called to a higher standard than this.  Love is in fact opposed to our senses or flesh! Our flesh is trained to make us happy. Therefore we seek to be selfish, and have our way.  But love should never seek its own way but rather think of the other person.  Ouch- that hurts!   Sacrifice is always required if you are going to love.  Just look at Jesus’s example on the cross.  I am sure He would of  have rather   taken a long beach vacation, slurping on some passionate fruit drink while  relaxing in His Father’s love ,but instead He decided to pass that love to us.  

In order to walk in love, you must be willing to take off a pound of flesh! Some days or seasons, two or more pounds may be required! It starts with making a decision then committing to it throughout the day when you are tempted to come out of God’s Word.  Say things like, “ I will not be fretful, resentful or touchy and will choose not to take offense. I will forgive and choose to be a lover and not  a hater today.”  And when you do- you go free! Also, you must learn to believe in love, knowing that its power is awesome and life changing for you and others around you affected by your choice. 

 Agape love is a new kind of control.  It helps you master every situation.  Learning to take  off flesh will become that much easier as you commit to it. Like anything, it starts with a choice.  What will your choice be today?  How much flesh do you need to take off today when concerning love?  I love what E.W Kenyon says about  agape love, “a new kind of selfishness”- You no longer seek your own success, yet your success is guaranteed-gotta  LOVE that!

Speaking of LOVE- Here is our Movie Quotes for today! Be the first to take a guess and win a point towards our Valentine's Giveaway

1)"My darling girl, when are you going to understand that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."

2) "You will never know love unless you surrender to it."

3) "I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you."

4) "Angels are like diamonds; each one is unique and cannot be created, but can only be found."

5) "If your not willing to sound stupid, you're not worthy of falling in love."

Love Me Tender

      How many times have I told myself, "I hate my legs, hips and butt!?" Too many times to count.  Or how many times have I told myself, " You're so fat!?"  I've had hundreds of these conversations to myself through the years .  What about you?  However, as  I get older they are becoming less and less because I have sloooowly learned to love myself or I just don't care anymore-lol!  I have to admit, I've been my worse enemy all these years and sometimes still find it hard to silence that judge in my mind.

     Learning to love yourself is important because it can truly affect your life and those around you.  However, in this day and age there is a lot of pressure on how you should look and what you should be and do. When faced with these challenges it can become difficult to  truly embrace and love ourselves because  we feel like we can never measure up.  The truth is, we can't! I don’t know about you but when I try to compare myself to those impossible standards or to anyone else, I always come out feeling like a loser. Stay away from the comparison trap-it's deadly!

      The world tells us we have to be the best at everything and there is constantly more pressure added daily.  It’s not enough to be just a stay- at- home mom anymore.  Instead, you have to do it wearing Channel! I guess my sweats and hole filled tees can't keep up with the show, What Not to Wear! To add to my stress of being a SAHM, I might feel like I have to be a business woman and an incredible cook who can prepare a  meal that impresses her  family and guests- every time! I don’t know about you, but if I can get a meal on the table without burning it and on time, then I am doing good!  No one likes feeling like a loser. So why do we continue to buy into the world’s view?  Aren’t we setting ourselves up for failure?

             A majority of the people today didn’t receive what was needed when they were growing up to help them develop an appreciative attitude.  This in fact, affected their adult years.  I believe that having a thankful heart is the key to contentment within yourself and the world in which you live. Unfortunately, because some of us lacked in our upbringing with parents that couldn’t teach this or pass this on, it truly has a negative impact on who we are today.  This has been going on from generation to generation. These restrictions caused us to develop belief systems centered around ideas that we are not worthy of love, abundance, peace, happiness, joy, prosperity, loving relationships, meaningful work or whatever else seems to negatively dominate your life.

     Learning to love yourself is the basis for accepting anything good in your life. You can say all the affirmations you want, do the  check lists in Self magazine, go to therapy or buy every self help book out there  but if you don't love yourself FIRST and foremost when it is all said and done , then all that  work you are doing will fall on faulty  ground. I’ve always loved the Proverbs 14:1 that says, “A wise woman builds her house(perception of who she is based off of God) but a foolish one tears it down( with all the lies the world feeds her).”

     Learning to love yourself and see yourself as God sees you will impact you in ways you never dreamed of. Building a secure foundation on the world’s standards will eventually bring you down and the people around you.  You can’t keep up!  You must  learn to be gentle with yourself and understand that you are perfect in the eyes of God and from that flows love towards everything else.  

Here are some things you can do to love yourself:

-Stop All Criticism about yourself. Hard to do, I know! Accept yourself exactly as you are. You are what you think about yourself.  When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
- Find 10 things you like about yourself and add to it daily. Start small and you will eventually come to appreciate the way God created you! After all you perfectly made in His imageJ

-Be gentle, kind and patient to yourself. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.
- Let your thoughts be kind to you! Kick any thoughts that are negative and refuse to think them.
-Support yourself. Find ways to support yourself. Have great friends and people around you that love you. Get rid of negative influences.
-Take care of your body. Learn about health and nutrition. Get pro-active for yourself. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and the only body you will ever have!
-Whisper sweet things about yourself to yourself! Speak positive affirmations over yourself and the areas you of your body or life you don’t like. 

     In the end, if you don’t love yourself, than how can anyone else?  You need to love yourself first before you can truly receive and enjoy the love from another human being. In what ways can you begin to love yourself more today?  

Movie Quotes Giveaway Contest 

1)Sometimes I wish I had never met you. Because then I could go to sleep at night not knowing there was someone like you out there

2)You spend all your time looking for love yet you feel nothing even when its staring you in the face I will love again but You will spend all your life knowing you turned your back on love and that makes you a hypocrite 

3)What do you want to marry me for anyhow?
So I can kiss you anytime I want.
4)Samantha: I have to ask you a question. It's a good one so think about it. If two people love each other, but they just can't seem to get it together, when do you get to that point of enough is enough?

Inspired Love

We all know how to say, “I love you” but few people really possess the ability to truly understand what it entails. This month on EEE we are trying to express that love is more than just words or emotions but rather is a powerful force that can change lives. Below is a true story of a Father who lives it every day and has dedicated his life to its very cause-to love!  Dick and Rick Hoyt is a story about committed love and how that love holds no boundaries.  I saw this story a couple of years ago and it spoke to so many places in my heart.  Today, I would like to share it with you and I pray you too will be inspired by it as you begin your week ahead.  Be sure and click on the you-tube video website to see this inspiring story of love come to life. 

When Rick Hoyt was about to be born, the umbilical wrapped around his neck, depriving his body of oxygen leaving him with very little chance for a normal life.  Initially, doctors told the new parents their son was a vegetable, with no higher brain function. But the parents didn't believe it; and hoped for more for their son.  Eventually the doctors discovered that Rick did in fact hold higher brain function.  However, the lack of oxygen did deprive Rick of the ability to control his muscles, leaving him essentially a quadriplegic.  

                 The legacy of Team Hoyt began when Rick found out about a fundraiser for a friend. The fundraiser involved running, and wheelchair-bound Rick told his Dad he wanted to participate so he could help his friend. So Dick Hoyt took his son with him and ran, rolling him around the track, raising money.  After the run, Rick told his Dad that running made him feel free for the first time. His father was so moved by his son’s freedom that he was inspired to keep that feeling alive.  Dick took Rick running, swimming, bicycling, climbing--anything he wanted to do. Today, they compete in Triathlons. Dick loved his son and would do anything for him! It's an amazing story of a father and son's courage, determination, and love.

            The best way to appreciate this story is to experience it for yourself. Please click on the website below and watch this 7 minute video. You won’t be disappointed! It never ceases to amaze me the power behind one human spirit touching another. Hopefully, you will be changed like I was.  This sisters is the kind of love that inspires, motivates and never fails.  What would God have you do today to display this kind of commitment-love?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM

Valentine's Day Giveaway Movie Questions

1)" If some lives form a perfect circle, other take shape in ways we cannot predict or always understand. Loss has been part of my journey. But it has also shown me what is precious. So has love for which I can only be grateful.

2)" And you'll just forget about me, right?"
     "Every day."
 3) "Choose between yesterday and tomorrow." 

And two more left over from the weekend:

4. "Love is like the wind...you can't see it, but you can feel it."

5. "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it."

Movie Quotes, Oh my!

So, today I am suffering from a horrible headache that is a slight improvement over a migraine from earlier. Hence, the late post today. Still have more fun for all!

After yesterday's start, Both Jessica (Carlin) and Jody (toad) have one point. I'm going to list the remaining movie quote from yesterday and add three more. Enjoy!

1. "Love is like the wind...you can't see it, but you can feel it."

2. "May I ask your name, my lady? Or perhaps angels have no names, only beautiful faces."

3. "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it."

4. “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.”

Friday Fun with Love

Learning to
Overlook
Vain
Expectations

I wrote this poem-thingie when I was in high school and had it posted to my mirror. It is a good reminder of both what love is and what it isn't. It isn't superficial, it doesn't judge. It is encouraging, kind, and all the other things you find in 1 Corintians 13.

So, now we're going to celebrate love with a party and a contest!

You can read the rules for our Valentine's Quote Contest in yesterdays post. I've brought the scrumptious looking snacks pictured above. Join us!

Here are the first quotes. We'll start off easy with some fun ones. You can answer one, or all. Whatever you think you know! Leave your answer(s) in the comment box along with what dessert you're bringing to share.

1. "Death can not stop true love, it can only delay it for a little while"

2. "If I tell you I love you, can I keep you forever?"

3. "Love is like the wind...You can't see it, but you can feel it."

Love and Valentine's

I find it quite coincidental that we are discussing love in the month of February, don't you? Valentine's Day, as romantic as it's supposed to be, is a great opportunity to celebrate the love we have for friends and family as well!

So...

Kimchi and I are celebrating our love for YOU by hosting a contest. *cheers*

Here's how it will work:

Starting on Friday, Kimchi and I will be posting love quotes from movies and songs. The first person to guess a movie/song will be awarded one point. This will run through next Friday (except for Sunday). On Saturday will have a Lovefest Bonanza with all kinds of opportunities to win more points. The person with the most points on Monday, February 14th will be awarded a special gift from Kimchi and I. If there happens to be more than one person with the most points, we'll draw names from a hat.

This all begins tomorrow! We'll be posting like normal so make sure to read the whole post for the contest quotes. :)

In the meantime, what's your most memorable Valentine?

Love and Fruit

The first Fruit of the Spirit is love. Love is a complex word. It is a characteristic, an emotion, a choice.

So, what to write about?

In my research on love, it made perfect sense to refer to one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 13. You can read familiar verses over and over again, and one day reading over them just like every other time, you read something totally different. You have an epiphany, an understanding. My mind is a whirl of new understanding for this entire chapter. I’d like to share a small part of this revelation with you today.

Take a look at 1 Cor 13:4-7:

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

It’s all very familiar, right?

Now, check out Galatians 5:22-23, our Fruit of the Spirit verse:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

And look what happens when I combine the two:

“Love is patient (patience), love is kind (kindness). It does not envy (goodness), it does not boast, it is not proud (gentleness). It is not rude , it is not self-seeking(self-control), it is not easily angered (peace), it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth (joy). It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (faithfulness).” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Did you just get shivers? Yeah, me too.

Love is the basis for everything. It molds how we interact, the choices we make, who we are. It is the root of everything in this life…and in the next. John 3:16 (yet another all too familiar verse) tells us how God so LOVED the world. Love is how God makes His decisions concerning us.

When we love the Lord and His people—Christians or not—with the kind of love described in 1 Cor 13, all the fruit of the Spirit are cultivated. All of the fruit grow just a bit more. This is why love is the most important, why it is the main theme of the Bible. God’s love for us, and our love for Him, as well as those around us.

So, take some time to think about the people in your life—your family, friends, neighbors, even the postman—what are you doing to show them love?

In other news, we chose the winner for Pamela Sonnenmoser's "Praise and Paraphrase"!

Congratulations, Bonnie!

Send your address to Kimchi at kimchilya4@yahoo.com.

Later this week, we'll be hosting our first contest. Stay tuned for more information!

Smoothing the Foundation

One thing you will realize as you get to know us is that Kimchi and I are very practical people. We have our moments of whimsy, things that fuel our passions, and emotional outbursts just like any other woman. But on the whole, we are all about being practical and hands-on. You tell us your problem, we’ll lend a shoulder to cry on, but then we’ll start helping shape a plan to solve said problem. It’s just the way we are. As a result, Tuesdays are “Tip Day” (for lack of a more creative title at the moment) where we get all practical with lists and steps…but we’ll still make it fun. You trust us, right?

So, yesterday we talked about how love is the foundation for any relationship. Of course, we realize that there are different levels of love—I know we’re not going to love someone random stranger on the street as we love our families. Brandon Heath says it right in his song “Give Me Your Eyes”:

“Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so that I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity”

Tip #1: We need to have love for humanity as a whole in order to have compassion for the individual.

Tip #2: Realize that every person has a story. We’re all born the same way—well, metaphorically. People don’t get to where they are just by happenstance, a life of experiences and choices led them to this point in their lives—good or bad. Learning that in the little things, will open your heart to the larger picture. The guy who cut you off in traffic is on the way to the hospital where his son is in the ER after being shot. The cashier who was rude to you is suffering from exhaustion. She works three jobs to keep her four kids fed after their deadbeat father skipped out on them. Everyone has a story.

Tip #3: To get love, you have to give love. We need love just as much as everyone else—but as love is a foundation, you won’t necessarily get it unless you give it. It’s tempting for us to give into the drama on our streets as woman turns against woman, especially when we’ve been wronged. But we can’t expect things to change unless we’re willing to change.

Tip #4: Don’t ignore your gut. God opens opportunities if we listen. He also closes doors when we’re not where we’re supposed to be. Even if you don’t believe in God, you know the feeling we’re talking about. It’s not the “I’m scared to reach out” feeling, but the one that says “Danger!”.

Foundations are important. Buildings stand or crumble based on the foundation. So do relationships—no matter how fleeting. The point is to get out there. Love is the foundation for relationships—and life. We can build on anything where the foundation is love.

Is there someone you know that needs some love today?