A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert (1754-1824) was a French moralist and essayist. Most of his writings were published following his death.
From American theologian, Fulton J. Sheen: “God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.”
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God’s eternal love seeks
Intimate relationships
No longer standing back
Feeling love as He speaks
Our Lord loves each of us
Stepping forward with faith
Accepting His sincere truth
Our God, never to mistrust
When darker times arrive
Opening hearts to our Lord
Never to feel forsaken
Trusting, abiding, alive
Our Father always cares
Hearing faithful prayers
Watching trusting steps
Feeling moments of despair
Flowing from Heaven above
To a stable’s manger
Witnessing from a cruel Cross
God’s Grace delivers His love
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From John 15:8-9: “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love.
Originally published March, 2020.
Walking
God’s highway
Taking His way
Now becoming our way
Devotedness
Following
Christ’s example
Breathing with perseverance
Surrounded with countless witnesses
Steadfastness
Accepting
Father’s discipline
Tested by trials
Feeling His unwavering love
Righteousness
From Psalm 86:5: “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You.”
Life’s dark times gathering
Rolling in, blackest clouds
Walking in strength, with God
Steadfast hope flows unbowed
Troubles waiting ahead
Surrounding voices’ noise
Praying to God above
Steadfast mercy deploys
Stormy seas crashing down
Sailing through darkest days
Feeling safe in God’s hands
Steadfast faith finds His way
Evil setting its trap
Tempting with sinful fate
Trusting God, breaking free
Steadfast goodness checkmates
Alone, feeling afraid
Searching for safest place
Hearing God, calling thee
Steadfast love, full of grace
From Psalm 86:15: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
From Proverbs 19:21: “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.”
Gift of family unfolds
Relationships healthy and blessed
God’s love covers this home
Leading this grace-filled nest
Imperfections reverse tide
Frustrations fill with discontent
God witnesses each tear
Reshaping what is meant
Time healing deepest trauma
Days, weeks—sometimes months travel by
God breathes, never silent
Wiping every tear dry
Faith speaks, better days ahead
Hope generates from cherished love
God welcomes members home
Blessing life from above
From Joshua 24:15: “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Never give your family the leftovers and crumbs of your time.
From Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.”
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
You cannot save people. You can only love them.
Anais Nin (1903-1977) was a French-born American writer of novels and short stories. Much of her published works came from her diaries.
Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim for earth and you get neither.
From Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
No one cares how much we know unless they also know how much we care.
From Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another.”
Phillip Graham Ryken (born 1966) is an American pastor and theologian. He currently serves as the president of Wheaton College in Illinois.
Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the world to come in, and have forgotten the “much more” of our Heavenly Father.
From Matthew 6:30: “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Big Sky Buckeye 