Let It Begin With Me

"Hate.  It has caused a lot of problems in the world but has not solved one yet."  Maya Angelou

What is hate?  The dictionary tells us that it is an intense or passionate dislike of someone.  It means you despise them, you look down on them, you are repulsed by them.  Is that really what you want to feel?  I know I don't.

Hate is the exact opposite of love.  Love is a deep affection for someone.  It's easy to have good feelings towards someone, but true love is not based on feelings.  In I Corinthians 13:4-8, we're told that love is patient and kind.  Love doesn't behave badly, it is not provoked, it thinks no evil.  Love never fails.  When we can do these things...regardless of our feelings or someone's actions...that is true love.   Jesus tells us to love each other.

We don't get to pick and choose who we love.  Jesus wants us to love everyone - no matter their skin color, no matter their way of life...love them the way they are.  It's not our place to judge them.  Jesus taught us to love one another and to treat others as we want to be treated.  Our world needs this.  “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

Do we like the way others act or treat us?  No, not always.  It's okay not to like their actions, but we should do all we can to show them love.  Get rid of the bitterness, anger, hate, and bad behavior.  We're told in Ephesians 4:31-32 to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven us.  We don't have to agree on everything to be kind to each other.  It's time to let the past be the past.  We repeat what we don't repair.

In the end nothing we do or say in this lifetime will matter as much as the way we have loved one another.  And the greatest way to show people Jesus is by loving them.  Be kind because EVERYONE matters.  We are all God's children.

Let kindness begin with me.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
John 15:12

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

He's Always With You

Did you know that there's a difference between being alone and loneliness?  Being alone or aloneness doesn't feel like you're alienated or being outcast.  Being alone isn't always painful.  Sometimes it's good for you.  Many of us thrive on being alone; we like our solitude.  It gives us time to spend with God, with ourselves, to recharge.

Loneliness; however, is painful - both emotionally and physically.  Even in a group of family or friends, we can feel lonely.  Often times, we feel isolated; we feel like we don't belong.  And this feeling of isolation can often lead to depression or self-pity.  When you're feeling this way, turn to God...talk to Him.  Trust that He's always with you.

Loneliness is an illusion or a false sense for those who belong to God.  But the devil works hard to cloud your awareness of God's presence in your life.  It's important that you recognize this and resist his attacks.  (James 4:7-8)  Fight him with God's word, with God's promises.  And God promises that He is always with you.  (Matthew 28:20)

You are never alone.  God works with you in every situation in your life.  Let God's peace protect your mind and heart. 

"...For the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
                                                                                            Deuteronomy 31:6

Just Breathe

Be The Change

"He Lifts Me Up" by Danny Hahlbohm

I think you'll agree with me that lately our world has been turned upside down.  We've experienced fear, loneliness, and isolation in the past few months.  We've been torn from our families, our friends, our jobs, our everyday life.  And now we're watching in horror as our country is at war with each other.  I think it's time for a change.

The Lord tells us in Romans 12:2 - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  We need to renew or mend our thoughts and our attitudes.  We need to understand that sometimes God doesn't change our situation because He's trying to change us.  He wants us to be humble - kind, compassionate, sympathetic, caring, thoughtful, and considerate of others.  Being humble doesn't change what we're going through, but it helps us to accept God's will for our life.


"I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change"
                                                   Michael Jackson

Be the change you want to see.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
James 4:10

Just Breathe