Calvary's Love

I was sitting in the waiting room of a doctor's office this past week waiting on a friend. I happened upon this article by Jan Silvious in the February issue of Woman's Way.

She posted some excerpts out of a book by Amy Carmichael. The name of the book was "If". Jan went on to talk about the conviction that these few phrases had placed on her. I must agree with her they are powerful statements. I thought I would share them with you.


Calvary Love

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another, if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

If I do not give a friend "the benefit of the doubt" but put the worst construction instead of the best on what is said or done, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

If I wonder why something trying is allowed and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.

excerpts from "IF" by
Amy Carmichael

Amy Carmichael was a missionary to India. She died there in 1951. I believe she had been bedridden for several years before she died. But she died in the country she had served and loved spreading Calvary's Love. Do we spread Calvary's Love to those around us? We don't have to go to a foreign mission field to show others the love of Christ.
Your mission field is wherever God has placed you. It doesn't matter the country, the state, or the town. Your mission field may be your job, your neighbors, your family, even the sweet babies you are nurturing. Wherever we are, it is a mission field! Even if you are on the job and not allowed to speak the name of Christ. It doesn't stop you from showing the Love of Christ. Spread the LOVE my friends.

one more fun quiz

Are you careful,conscientious or carefree?

You Are Conscientious

You're all about rules and structure, as long as they make sense. You strike a good balance between planning and spontaneity. You leave the less important aspects of life to chance, but you're responsible when you need to be. You enjoy being organized most of the time, but a little chaos is fun too!

Are You Careful, Conscientious, or Carefree?

Are you a Country Mouse or a City Slicker?

I found this quiz. I thought you might like to take it. I was pretty sure which one was me. Several years ago, I would have probably been a city slicker for sure.

You Are Country

You'll take natural beauty and quiet over the hustle and bustle of the city. You can appreciate the simple things in life, and it doesn't take much for you to feel content. While you appreciate the many opportunities of the city, you see them as too much of a good thing. You love living a peaceful life. It's important that you can hear yourself think.

Are You City or Country?

Do You Need A Hero?

My friend Adrienne had posted this fun thing on her blog fuzzytop. I checked it out just to do something fun. And it is fun. You can check out later here. However, listening to the audio that goes with it I began thinking how the world is really looking for a hero.(I have the song playing on my playlist.)

I have found my hero in Jesus Christ. The song says they are longing for a hero who is fast and strong. The person is waiting until the morning light for their hero.

My hero is fast and strong. Thank heavens I don't have to wait for the morning light because He is the morning Light. He is the Light of the world. Don't you wish everyone knew this hero?

My hero doesn't wear a cape or carry a light saber. But He does use the Sword that is sharper than any other. He gives us the authority to use that weapon also. That Sword is the Word of God. Are you an expert with this weapon or do you need more practice? I know that I need more practice. I don't know any one that doesn't. I do know some that are more capable of wielding this weapon than others.

Are we prepared to go into battle with our hero? He tells us to be prepared to be on the battlefield with him. This world is a battlefield everyday. We don't have a choice about whether to participate or not. We have the choice though on whether we are prepared or not.

In Ephesians 6:10-17, we are given the instructions for putting on the armor for daily battle. How many times do we go into the battle with just part of our armor? I am ashamed to say that are many days when I have gone through the day only half prepared. Then I have gone to bed at the end of the day badly battered and beaten because I didn't prepare.

We are told to put on the whole armor so that we may stand and to withstand what Satan hurls our way. The first thing we need to do is gird ourselves with truth. We need to know what is the truth and what is not. What does God word say about it. Jesus answered Satan with the Word. He always answered him with "It is written". If we follow our Hero's example we must be in the Word so that we may know truth.

Next we are told to put on the breastplate of righteousness. We know that we are not righteous within ourselves for we are told in Romans that no one is righteous, no not one. We are made righteous through the blood the of Jesus Christ. After we have been righteous by accepting the work that our Hero did for us on the cross, then He continues the process of sanctification in us making more like Him everyday.

Then we are to put our shoes. Do you remember which pair? Those that have the gospel of peace. What is the gospel of peace? It is the good news that tells us how we can be at peace with God. We are to go through our day telling others how that they may have peace with God.

How can we have peace with God? Our Hero came to earth born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life for 33 1/2 years and was crucified on a cross in your place and mine. He was buried and rose again on the third day. Because He took the punishment for our sin, if we accept His work, we can have peace with God.

Next it tells us to put on the helmet of salvation. This is not the last thing that happens because salvation is the first act of being a Christian. However, when you picture getting dressed with armor it likely that the helmet would be the last thing you put on. The Bible also tell us to make our call and election sure in 2 Peter 1:10. We need to be absolutely sure of our salvation. The helmet protects the head, the brain in other words your mind. Don't let someone come and teach you something different than what God's word teaches and make you doubt your salvation. Be like the Bereans in the book of Acts study to make sure whether these things are true or not.

Lastly you need the weapon. Do you remember what it is? The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. To all of this add prayer and supplications along with being ever watchful. What are we to watch for? Anything that Satan may try to pull. Don't let him catch you asleep or let him blindside you. Is that all? No !! Keep your eye on the eastern sky. Our Hero is Coming Soon!! to take us home!!! Are you Ready???

Red Envelope letter

My friend Marsha has asked that we send a Red Envelope Letter to President Obama. I have agreed to send one. I have decided to help her out. She has asked that we do so by March 1st in order to make more of impact. These empty red envelopes represent one child who has been aborted. Do you realize if those children had not been aborted we may not be in the economic crisis that we are in now?

Those children may not mean much to some but to our heavenly Father they still mean so much. They are with him in heaven. I pray for our President that God changes his heart on this matter and others. Please join with us as we send these red envelopes and in prayer for our President.

Address it to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20500

Seal it and write the following message on the back:

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.

It is empty because that life was not allowed to offer anything to the world.

Life begins with conception.

Stamp it, mail it, and invite others to do the same.

For more information visit Marsha.

Compassion

My friend Marsha has given compassion as the focus word this week. Whenever I hear compassion I always think of Jude vs. 22. "And some have compassion, making a difference."

Here Jude is talking about the way we witness to others about Christ. Most of the time the only way you can be an effective witness for Christ is that you truly show compassion for people. No matter what their situation may be, people need to know that you truly care about them. That you do not look down upon them.

There are times that "Christians" have their "holier than thou" attitude. This attitude has done nothing but send unbelievers that much faster on down the road of destruction. All that most people want is to know that you care and can identify with them. That is what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us. In Hebrews the writer tells us that Jesus is acquainted with our sorrows.

If you want to make a difference in someone's life show some compassion. You may see all the difference in the world. You may even see the salvation of their souls.

Blessings,

Linda

Does God Exist?

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist..

Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.'

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop..

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'

'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!' 'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'

'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'

'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'