Happy Valentine's Day

February is most of all highlighted by Valentine's Day, a designated to express and receive love! How delightful. The following is a writing I want to share with you by Stephen Crotts.

Love ~
To be young, wealthy and in love--all in the third century. And to be a Christian.


Such was young Valentine. He would consummate his great love by taking her as his bride. Soon he would be wed. But his world came crashing down around him when the Roman emperor declared all Christians illegal citizens and guilty of treason. All they had to do was to say, "Caesar is Lord!" Rather than deny Christ, young Valentine was arrested.


In jail, awaiting his execution, he wrote love letters to his girlfriend...beautiful, passionate letters assuring her of his great love for her. But theirs would be a love not lived out. On February 14, 269, Valentine was put to death, martyred for Jesus Christ.


Since then, Christians have celebrated his fidelity to Christ and romantic love on the 14th of February by sending our own love letters to special people. And we do so this year, let us resolve to live for Christ unashamedly.

~ Stephen Crotts

So my friend, how will you spend your Valentine's day? Maybe a romantic dinner with card and flowers from or to your beloved? It seems odd that we need a day in the year to remind us to show and exhibit love. A day that indicates we should express our faithfulness and love to our beloved!  Yet, how about most of all to our Christ. His words to us penned by the apostle Paul in Corinthians need to be seared upon our hearts:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
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.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13

No small wonder it is called the Love Chapter. The above words are the key to any and every relational issue known to man. For if we do as it says we should, we become humbly involved in laying aside our agenda and we pick up with care the concern for others and administer love, unselfish love.


I know my tendencies and I know how hard it is to look beyond me and see others in the light of God's love, forgive me Lord. As Your creation it should be a natural to do likewise--as You do unto us--to those around us. Why do I always get in the way?


Father, when I am struggling with my spouse, my friends and even the poky driver ahead of me who thinks I should live my life at his speed, help me to think LOVE. Forgive all the "buts..." that I throw out as excuses to justify my unloving attitude. Lord, if I could always have on my mind the love You showed Your unworthy child, I just might remember. And how do I really show Your love to that unlovable person(s) we all seem to have in our lives? Whatever it takes Lord, I need Your grace and mercy so that I would remain that humble servant who desires to walk in love and then purposes to do it! I am so weary of asking and then I watch myself turn around and reneging on my intention. Give me authenticity that will reveal who You are through me. I love you Abba and my desire is to live for You. In Jesus Name, Amen!

A Gift of Life

"...But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, Seed of Abraham My friend--You whom I drew from the ends of the earth and called from its far corners, To whom I said: You are My servant; I chose you, I have not rejected you--Fear not, for I am with you, Be not frightened, for I am your God; I strengthen you and I help you, I uphold you with My victorious right hand."

Isaiah 41:8-10 (JPS)

Praises be to God who allowed us the amazing privilege of being grafted into the lineage of Abraham--God's friend--as well as Isaac and Jacob's.  How?  Simply put by accepting His gift, His precious Son, Jesus.  For God Himself, became flesh to dwell among us, making a way where there was no way because of sin.  Jesus, came to earth as a humble little baby, born of a virgin (young Mary) as was told so long ago, all so that you and I could become God's sons and daughters.  Do you realize just how incredible that reality is?  Can you wrap your brain around the fact that the Creator of the universe, our Father, made a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him?  I will honestly tell you that I don't understand it.  It makes me crazy to think of the expanse of the love that my heavenly Father lavishly poured out, certainly exceeding all imagination, just so that I could be restore into a right standing with Him!  How could I ever expect to comprehend this one?  But...by faith, I must. I must simply believe because after all He saved my life, gave me hope and a chance to walk with purpose in my gait, giving me a reason to wake up and live! 

I like what Francis Chan said in his book Crazy Love, “The point of our life is to point to Him…”

You know that you too can have life that is intended to be full, rich and abundant and filled with purpose.  You do know that don't you?  If not, friend, I can't say enough in an attempt to convince you of this truth.  I know, you can't see it, taste it, smell it or see it but...it is yours for the taking.  So here, here is the gift of hope, wrapped up in love and not only love but the Father's love.  A gift of life the life of His Son, Jesus.  Here, it is for you, I want so much for you to have it, no strings attached!  He loves you so much that words are inadequate to even explain it! I pray you receive the blessings of being welcomed into the family of God, friend.  Take it from someone who has been so topsy turvy through her first 30 years of life, it will turn your world right-side up!

Make Me a Change Agent

The song "History Maker" by the group Delirious is a great song that reminds me of the purpose for which we are in the here and now. I shared in a church, some time ago, of being a "Change Agent" and the two terms, history maker and change agent are synonymous. I don't know about you but I do want my life to be used to make a difference for God's Kingdom.

I looked up the meaning of "Change Agent" in the dictionary and this is what I read:

A change agent, or agent of change, is someone or something that intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural, or behavioral change.

If we apply that to kingdom work...wow, that's it! I want to make a difference in the lives of other people to the extent that they will come to Christ or become more Christ-like.I know it is not about me, but about God uses us when we allow Him to work in and through us, we become His vessel or conduit! Likewise, is that "history maker" one who obviously has an influence for Chirst's sake to altar the course of history for kingdom purposes, wow! That is pretty powerful stuff!

Like I told the folks in church that morning, "we didn't get saved to live a cushy, comfy life with all the amenities, we got saved to make a difference in the kingdom as we come alongside those who don't know the King of kings." We are to show and when given the opportunity to share Christ and Him crucified! and from 1 Peter 3:15

"...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"

Father, I am asking You to do such a work in me that I would become one who can make a difference in my environment for you. As I go about the day-to-day stuff I want people to see You. And to see that You really can make a difference in people's lives. After all, I am not who I used to be, praise be to God! Let others see You when they observe me so that You will be glorified and others will desire to know You. It is only through You that I can be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus. As You perfect in me the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, I will make a difference for Your kingdom and change the course of history, Amen.

Praise is Prayer

Scripture teaches that we experience the manifest presence of God as we "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." (Psalm 95:2, 100:4 NIV) We thank God for his goodness and we praise him for his greatness.

Praise is prayer. When I lift up my heart to God to praise him, I talk to him and commune with him. Prayer is not all asking. As Thomas Watson, the seventeenth-century Puritan, quaintly put it, "Many have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouth, but few have harps in their hand, blessing and glorifying God. Let us honor God this way. Praise is the quitrent we pay to God: while God renews our lease, we must renew our rent."

True prayer is in itself part of our praise of God. We go to him in a way we go to no one else. He is able to help us as no one else can. Furthermore, in prayer we submit ourselves to God's will--we pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mathew 6:10) as the foundation of all our other prayers. By our acknowledgment that God's will is best, we praise God indirectly for his infinite and perfect wisdom. -- from "Praise Is Prayer" by Derek Prince

Father, let me lay down all of the concerns that I am having. I truly want to be void of all things that are worldly and reek of me. Give me, even if for just a few minutes, the opportunity to dwell in Your presence and let me linger there as I simply place my attention full on You, Lord. Gazing upon Your beauty and acknowledging all that You are. I know that You will then fill my heart with Your purposes, Your will for my life, my environment, and my community as I radiate Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Out of the Desert

I have had my dry times--spiritually speaking--where it seems as though I am crawling  through molasses. Have you ever experienced that? Everything is just as it always is and I then begin to sense the growing barrenness in my life. That old feeling of walking alone and out of sync with the flow. Everyone else seems to be alive and excited to be serving God but for some reason, I feel blah spiritually!Those times have been too often and frankly I do not like being there. It is a pathway that is weighty and bordering on sorrow and dare I say depression?

I have never been in a sand dessert but for a time I did live in the northern part of New Mexico. It is not quite the same but there are some similarities with the hot dry, summers. In a sand desert, there is some life but not a bustling flurry of activity as in a thriving forest. It is simply too hot and dry.This ugly cactus plant of mine is rather similar to the plants that grow in the desert. It tends to thrive on very little water and it is so ugly that I almost wish it would die so I could get rid of it. I think it is about 45 years old and as you can see it doesn't get huge. What grows (very slowly I might add) are these ugly long fronds or whatever you call them with their prickly little edges (although not like the usual cacti with its thorns.) It sits rather lopsided in my pot and obstructs my husbands view of the television if I don't turn it around the other way.

My dry times can be just like that old cactus, dry, barren, lonely and fruitless. It really is a terrible place to be. I am not even nice to be around because I have no joy, motivation or energy. I just want to hang it up. Interestingly, it even causes those that I am around to get cranky, like my husband. My hard places don't just effect me, they also have an impact on those around me. My co-workers know when Kimberly Dawn is going through rough times because I am usually a pretty joy-filled person. (Praise God!) But not with the weight of the world on my shoulders, pressing me down! Or a mind preoccupied with relationships gone awry.

However, it is in these valleys where my sorrow is caused by my own poor choices. If you are a relational person like me, you know how important people are in your life, you need them to interact with and fellowship with and just to enjoy life with. Thank you Lord for creating fellowship with one another. But then a quirky communication takes place and an offense comes along and suddenly the joy has been robbed. I have reacted by making provision for the flesh, and harbor bitterness or jealousy in my heart and wham, down I go and it is time to linger in the desert for a few rounds about the mountain. My thoughts are possessed with wrong thinking. My reactions are very "me" centered around all my thoughts and hurt feelings. Woe is me, they don't understand, what about my feelings on the issue and don't I have a "right" to feel the way I do? Just look how they have hurt me! It is amazing what we will try to justify!

When I go to bed at night, I want sweet thoughts and pleasurable memories of my day or week. I want to reflect on the goodness of the Lord and to be able to see His hand in motion throughout my day. If I am in the midst of a desert experience I can't see any of that, just poor, miserable me. If I dwell too long in that place I become dryer, harder and more and more lifeless and bitter in my own defense. What an icky place to be!

How in the world do I come to an end of my desert journey? Thanks be to God for the power of the Holy Spirit in spite of quenching His Spirit with my "me-ness" mentality. Something jogs my heart and I begin to see that I am the problem not the other party. I'm the one who is holding on to the bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and resentment because all I can see is how mistreated I have been. God's Word has sooo...much to say about the above list of excuses we use to stay in our desert-land:

This Scripture from Matthew 5:23,24 really sheds a spotlight on relational issues out of sync:

"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."

I am believing that my offering to God is not going to amount to anything with resentment at the root of my heart. And I have worshiped and wondered why I couldn't sense His presence and wondered why He seemed so distant from me.

From Romans 13:14 Paul tells,

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."

And this includes along with all sorts of immoralities, strife and envy.  And once again from Mark 12:25

"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

You have to admit that forgiveness is a huge issue in God's eyes. I guess that means that I better make it a priority also. God says 70 times 7 and that if I cannot forgive then I too will not be forgiven. God forbid I don't get a grasp on this one! So, what is my excuse now? Can I really justify my situation any longer? I don't think so! Okay Holy Spirit, show me how to get myself to the watering hole 'cause I am so parched and desperately longing for Your presence once again.

You see, with enough sunlight and just the right amount of water, that ugly old cactus does an amazing thing every once in a while. It unpredictably blooms. Sometimes only one or two but these huge gorgeous blooms come out of the most unlikely places. And like that blooming cactus, I too need adequate time in the "Son" so that I can produce fruit that will please my Father and bless others. 

How's your heart today? Are you filled with bitterness and anger? Unforgiveness and resentments? The Lord would have us walking in the fruit of the Spirit which is right where I need to be so I want will exhibit those attributes toward others. It is through a victorious life that this fruit grows and is used to show others the love of Christ.

Galatians 5:22,23

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law."

Father, will You show me my unpleasantness and its root? I don't want to be there anymore. I want the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in my life so that when others look at my life they see You. Help me to root out all the negative things like anger, resentment, bitterness, envy and strife those things that keep me in bondage. Set me free and even if I need to go to someone for forgiveness will You give me the grace to humble myself and approach that one so that we might be restored to fellowship with one another and with You? I trust that You will work out all the details of this in my life and that You will receive all the glory, honor and praise due Your Name. I will lean on Your promises and trust this to be resolved in Your perfect timing. Restore me Lord to Your presence and fill me with Your sweet Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Name, Amen