talk about love

This is love: not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

- 1 John 4:10

 

It is still Valentine’s week, so let’s talk about love.

God loves us.

Regardless of what we want to believe, no matter if we chose to accept Him or His grace, God loves us.

As a parent there are days that I am not sure I love my kids (I’m kidding, kids) (sort of) (ok, yeah kidding) much less to love them no matter what.

He didn’t just sacrifice for us, He sacrificed for everyone – every single human being.

God loves us and He wants us to love Him back, to share His love with others who don’t know about Him.

I hope that you feel as loved as I know that you are.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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thank you

 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

– 2 Thessalonians 1:3

 

There is an old song in my heart.

Do you want to hear it? 

Of course you do!!

I dreamed I went to heaven

And you were there with me;

We walked upon the streets of gold

Beside the crystal sea.

We heard the angels singing

Then someone called your name.

We turned and saw a young man running

And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now."

And then he said, "But wait,

You used to teach my Sunday School

When I was only eight.

And every week you would say a prayer

Before the class would start.

And one day when you said that prayer,

I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am a life that was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you

And said, "Remember the time

A missionary came to your church

And his pictures made you cry.

You didn't have much money,

But you gave it anyway.

Jesus took the gift you gave

And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am a life that was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came

Far as the eye could see.

Each life somehow touched

By your generosity.

Little things that you had done,

Sacrifices made,

Unnoticed on the earth

In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven

You're not supposed to cry

But I am almost sure

There were tears in your eyes.

As Jesus took your hand

And you stood before the Lord.

He said, "My child, look around you.

Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am a life that was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am so glad you gave.

There are so many people that are in or have been in my life for whom I am thankful.  

I would try to name them all but I would miss someone and hurt their feelings or I would run out of space.

Google “people come into your life quotes”, there are a bunch.

I think my favorite is Abigail London: 
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Don’t try to make those people fit where they aren’t intended.  This is what causes you pain and brokenness,  Try to find the lesson God is sending through that person to build your own strength and character.

We don’t know why God brings us together, but I am thankful that He does.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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sing it loud

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

- Acts 16:25

 

I still love to sing, I still lose myself in the lyrics of songs.

Hymns and worship music are an amazing way to tell God how you feel and when you are singing, others my hear and say “hey, what’s that song?”  (what a great way to open a dialog about the Father!!!) 

Did you know that God loves to hear you sing?

He doesn’t care if you are off key or if you forget a few words.

You are not putting on a concert, it is not a performance, it is worship.

Even if you think your joyful noise is just noise, it is music to God’s ears.

Sing out loud, He is listening.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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it’s love again

Let all that you do be done with love.

- 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV)

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I have to mention a cute little girl named Dixie who is celebrating her birthday today. Happy birthday, Dixie Jean!  

According to the internet, Valentines day is the number three holiday in retail, with number one being Christmas/Hanukkah and the second highest being Mother’s day.

I’ve heard Valentine’s day being referred to as “singles awareness day” and I’ve known of people who spend so much money trying to make their significant other feel special on Valentine’s day. 

Stop it!!

Don’t just make someone feel special one day a year, make everyone that you come in contact with feel the love of Jesus flowing through you.

When you go pick up your coffee, tip the baristas, and do it with love.

When you go out for dinner, hold the door open for your significant other with love.

Let all you do be done with love and let Jesus’ love for you show through the things that you do.

You may or may not have an earthly valentine this year, but God has been asking you to be His valentine since the day you were conceived.

You are God’s love story, so show it, live it, be the love that lives in you through Christ Jesus.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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empathy

Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.

- Galatians 6:2 (TLB)

 

The definition of empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Some people are known to be empaths, or highly attuned to the feelings and emotions of those around them, their ability to discern what others are feeling goes beyond empathy and extends to actually taking those feelings on, feeling what another person is feeling at a deep emotional level (the definition is not mine, I copied it from the internet).

I asked a pastor one time if he believed that there are empaths in the world, he said that he is more inclined to believe that those people are filled with the Holy Spirit and this is how they are able to feel on such a deep level. 

It can be overwhelming and exhausting, and some people find it invasive when a person can read them so easily.

We are called to share one another’s troubles and problems, regardless of if we are “an empath” or not.

This means that while we may not feel their pain, hurt and anger, we still need to understand it.

We don’t have to fix it, and sometimes people that are hurting don’t want us to fix it, they just want to be heard. 

Sometimes we can share each other’s burdens simply by being a friend.

Cook them a meal or take them to dinner.

Text them to check on them.

Go for a walk with them.

Pray for them, and with them.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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be nice

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

- Proverbs 11:17 (NIV)

 

I have five cats in my house (only five).

Most of the time they live peacefully with one another, eating together, grooming each other, curled up purring together.

I have even spotted all five of them on the bed sleeping at the same time.

Recently my oldest cat Mittens (6) has declared war on Latte (2), fighting with her, hissing and growling and poor Latte runs for the highest spot in the house or sequesters herself under the bed behind my storage boxes.  
Mittens does not fight with Princess Buttercup (4) or Mouse (3) and she even leaves the baby cat Boots (5 months) alone.

No, Mittens has a vendetta against Latte, she just doesn’t know how to be nice.

Mittens has brought ruin on herself by being cruel to Latte, because now she is forced to take a calming remedy which she hates because it probably tastes bad and I have to hold her down to administer it. 

If Mittens would be kind to Latte, she would find herself benefitting by receiving yummy treats and extra love.

Humans are the same really, we reap what we sow. 
When we sow kindness we receive kindness in return, sometimes all it takes is a smile.

But if we are cruel, bitter and mean others are going to hiss and growl at us, and probably tell their friends how horrible we are and then no one will want to be around us.

I can’t tell Mittens to be nice in a way that she will understand using words, it has to be a sort of behavior therapy.

Perhaps humans need behavior therapy too! 

I’m over here with the treats.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

peace be still

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

- Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

 

I have some things weighing heavy on my heart recently, things that keep me awake at night and steal my joy in the day.

We have read “be still” in the Bible, heard it in church and Sunday school, seen it plastered on posters, t-shirts, billboards and home décor.

We tell our children and our anxious racing hearts to be still, but what does it really mean?

My dear friend sang this song Sunday morning, I am not sure if it was the lyrics or her beautiful voice that very nearly brought me to tears.   

I don't want to be afraid

Every time I face the waves

I don't want to be afraid

I don't want to be afraid

I don't want to fear the storm

Just because I hear it roar

I don't want to fear the storm

I don't want to fear the storm

Peace be still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea

Till I'm dancing in the deep

Peace be still

You are here so it is well

Even when my eyes can't see

I will trust the voice that speaks

I'm not gonna be afraid

'Cause these waves are only waves

I'm not gonna be afraid

I'm not gonna be afraid

I'm not gonna fear the storm

You are greater than it's roar

I'm not gonna fear the storm

I'm not gonna fear at all

Peace be still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea

Till I'm dancing in the deep

Peace be still

You are here so it is well

Even when my eyes can't see

I will trust the voice that speaks

Peace peace over me

Let faith rise up

Oh heart believe

Let faith rise up in me

Peace be still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea

Till I'm dancing in the deep

Peace be still

You are here so it is well

Even when my eyes can't see

I will trust the voice that speaks

Peace peace over me

We don’t have to be afraid of the storms because we are not alone, we are never ever alone.

Sometimes we just need to go to a quite place and tell God that we are ready to listen.

Then be still.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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