When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer.
Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.
John Lennon (1940-1980) was a English musician and activist. He was the founder of one of the most acclaimed groups ever, the Beatles.
From Romans 15:12-13: “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Longing for inner peace
Patience fills every heart
Shepherds wonder this night
Spirit’s goodness imparts
Viewing Bethlehem’s peace
Mercy nestled with love
Deliverance of light
Precious to God above
Raising harmony’s peace
Root of Jesse shall bring
Spring of living waters
Hope abounds, joy will sing
Hearing God’s voice of peace
Salvation’s breath of light
Messiah’s truth to come
Angels now taking flight
Shining beacon of peace
Heaven’s intent descends
Hope wakens in stable
Love invites joy, God sends
From Psalm 72:12-13: “For He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.”
From Song of Solomon 2:8: “The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”
Sitting here, another morning’s darkness
Thinking of today’s most beautiful view
Your kindness and love arrives with a smile
Transforming this heart to radiant new
Traveling life’s lonely, meaningless road
Dreaming of unlocking a better life
Your cherished spirit bestows precious light
Joining together as husband and wife
Making beloved home for two love birds
Nurturing passion with each priceless day
Your tender, caring thoughts lead us forward
Navigating with God’s love, shows His way
Affirming love through joyful affection
Walking in Jesus’ perfect reflection
From Song of Solomon 4:1: “How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.”
Originally published January, 2021.
From the words of American Christian author, James Dobson: “It is important to know that you have to work to keep love alive, you have to protect it and maintain it, just like you would a delicate flower.”
Encouraged to trust Father’s Word
Hope sown with Christ’s patient love
Precious seeds of kindness
Heaven harvests from above
Cultivated with Father’s grace
Eternal light never ends
Rejoice with Spirit’s peace
Fragile love strengthens to mend
Answered with Father’s faithfulness
Calvary pays debits of man
Love rises with new life
According to divine plan
Called by Father, who always cares
Love each delicate flower
Maintain, always protect
Backed up with mercy’s power
Commanded by Father above
Always love one another
Just as faith’s Savior loved
Every sister and brother
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
Man joined with woman
Sharing love throughout each day—
Breath of daily grace
Sun rises each morn
Togetherness in spirit—
Forever in love
Love’s eternal flame
Burning by day as well as night—
Lifetime’s treasured gift
Faith’s
Divine garden
Seeded without weeds
Nourished with Living Water
Maturity
Hope’s
Fertile soil
Cultivated with grace
Sunrise offers endless bounty
Harvest
Joy’s
Fruitful journey
Sustained with love
Sown with trusted hands
Gratitude
Jesus must become the heart of my heart, the fire of my life, the love of my soul, the bridegroom of my spirit.
From Ephesians 3:16-17: “I pray that, according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
Empathy, a parent’s ability to understand what a child is feeling, is an important and valuable ingredient of child rearing.
It is said that nature always sides with the hidden flaw. Teachers have the opposite role; to side with the hidden asset, to minimize a child’s deficiencies, intensify his experience, and enlarge his life.
Haim Ginott (1922-1973) was an Israeli-born school teacher and child psychologist. He pioneered techniques about how to converse with children.
From John 15:10-11: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Rejoicing with Father
Peace quiets every storm
Joy’s spirit transforms heart
Nurturing, always warm
Learning from Father’s Word
Faith nourished, always trust
Joy sails on eagle’s wings
Bringing light, always just
Receiving Father’s grace
Precious gift of each day
Joy cascades from His love
Rising sun, never gray
Walking in Father’s steps
Hope breathes with every stride
Joy’s anticipation
Filling outlook with pride
Kneeling at Father’s feet
Gratitude sweeps ashore
Joy flowing with gladness
Entering Heaven’s door
From the words of American evangelist, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God.”
We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, patience creates unity.
You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be a peace unless he has his freedom.
Malcolm X (1925-1965) was an American human rights activist.
Big Sky Buckeye 