A hot tip for you, Ali, and my two future daughters:
Treat your husband like you would like your (future) sons to be treated by their wives.
Raise your sons like you would like your husband to have been raised.
:-)
oxo-Mom
ps~If you have any questions on this or want examples, just ask!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Love, Love and then Love Some More!
"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"~Ephesians 5:14
I'm thinking that this topic of LOVE may be important...
Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (John 15:12) "This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:17)
In the book of Matthew, it is recorded that Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" His response was, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)
I'm thinking that this topic of LOVE may be important...
Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (John 15:12) "This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:17)
In the book of Matthew, it is recorded that Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" His response was, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)
Often, in my mind, I make myself the judge of people. I don't like that. My natural, fleshly tendency is to be critical. Yuck! With the life of Christ in me, loving others trumps judging and criticizing and wanting to change others.
John, in I John, writes a lot about love. For me, the starting point is, "...for God is love." (4:8b) And then, "We love, because He first loved us." (4:19) So, "The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (2:10) and "...let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." (4:7)
My prayer for you today and always, Nick, Ali and Greg, is that you desire to love God above all else and that His love will flow out from you to others!
I love you,
oxo-Mom
Grow Up!
"Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."~Paul, writing to the saints at Ephesus, chapter 4, verse 15 (Amplified version)
The topic of spiritual maturity has come up quite often lately. What would you, Ali, Nick and Greg, say is the definition? It's a tough one.
Dad came up with what I think is a good one a few years ago..."How quickly one defaults to walking in the Spirit." I love that! And, by the way, I love seeing your dad grow in his "Jesus" maturity! Through the years, he is quicker and quicker to go from reacting in the flesh, to walking in the Spirit!
Ali, do you remember the picture (in your head) you told me about you walking with Jesus? You are a little child, holding the hand of Jesus and looking only to Him? That got me thinking of my definition..."Becoming like a child, looking only to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, my Heavenly Father...God... being led by Him, going wherever He takes me, trusting Him completely, knowing without a doubt His deep love for me and who I am in Him, and recognizing my utter helplessness without Him in my life. Keeping my eyes, heart, mind set on Him and counting Him as my very Life."
My prayer for you, Greg, Nick and Ali, is that as each of you grow up in Christ, you become more and more like a child!
oxo-Mom
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"~Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
"Now, little children, abide in Him..." ~I John 2:28 (NASB)
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."~Romans 8:14 (NIV)
The topic of spiritual maturity has come up quite often lately. What would you, Ali, Nick and Greg, say is the definition? It's a tough one.
Dad came up with what I think is a good one a few years ago..."How quickly one defaults to walking in the Spirit." I love that! And, by the way, I love seeing your dad grow in his "Jesus" maturity! Through the years, he is quicker and quicker to go from reacting in the flesh, to walking in the Spirit!
Ali, do you remember the picture (in your head) you told me about you walking with Jesus? You are a little child, holding the hand of Jesus and looking only to Him? That got me thinking of my definition..."Becoming like a child, looking only to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, my Heavenly Father...God... being led by Him, going wherever He takes me, trusting Him completely, knowing without a doubt His deep love for me and who I am in Him, and recognizing my utter helplessness without Him in my life. Keeping my eyes, heart, mind set on Him and counting Him as my very Life."
My prayer for you, Greg, Nick and Ali, is that as each of you grow up in Christ, you become more and more like a child!
oxo-Mom
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"~Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
"Now, little children, abide in Him..." ~I John 2:28 (NASB)
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."~Romans 8:14 (NIV)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Choices
Based on what God has taught me in the past few weeks, I am changing this post a bit. I love that He continues to reveal His truths to me! And, I look forward to always learning more, changing views I've held, if necessary. He is so good like that!
What is this...the 4th sermon?
A gentle reminder: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you."~Romans 8:9a
Every day, each moment, in every new circumstance, each time your mind wants to think the worst, to criticize, to judge, to be anxious, fearful, even when you are alone with your thoughts...you have a choice:
You can be fleshly (I Cor. 3:3)...independent from Jesus Christ, on your own.
Or...
You can walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25)...allow the Holy Spirit to live through you, in surrender to God's will, in complete dependence on Jesus Christ!
That's about it!
Oh, one last thing...The normal life of a believer of Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to be characterized by living in, walking by, a mind set on the Spirit!
You're dismissed.
oxo-Mom
Romans 8:6 (NASB)~"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace."
Galatians 5:16 (Amplified Version)~"But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
What is this...the 4th sermon?
A gentle reminder: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you."~Romans 8:9a
Every day, each moment, in every new circumstance, each time your mind wants to think the worst, to criticize, to judge, to be anxious, fearful, even when you are alone with your thoughts...you have a choice:
You can be fleshly (I Cor. 3:3)...independent from Jesus Christ, on your own.
Or...
You can walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25)...allow the Holy Spirit to live through you, in surrender to God's will, in complete dependence on Jesus Christ!
That's about it!
Oh, one last thing...The normal life of a believer of Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to be characterized by living in, walking by, a mind set on the Spirit!
You're dismissed.
oxo-Mom
Romans 8:6 (NASB)~"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace."
Galatians 5:16 (Amplified Version)~"But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
People Magazine and Facebook
Yes, I admit it...Sometimes, when I am in a doctor's office (ours included) or on an airplane, I read, or really just look thru, People Magazine. I get glimpses into people's lives...I get to see photos of them at events, while on vacation, with their families...I can read about who is together with whom and who has broken up. Yes, sometimes I breeze thru People, gathering information on people with whom I have no connection, no interaction.
Anyway...back on track here...
Facebook... Your generation has their own use, and probably the intended use for Facebook. You all have 650, maybe 1000, maybe even 1500 fb friends. I don't know...Maybe you know these people, maybe you really care about what is going on in their lives...I don't know. And, maybe you have 1500 people who truly are interested in you! (I know I sure am!) Maybe you discover great, or funny, or insightful, or useful YouTube videos. Maybe you are more politically aware (or less) by viewing a link someone has posted.
I have decided...it doesn't work for me. I don't want to know all about some acquaintance, and even friends, without there ever being a connection. I don't want people knowing too much about me, without there being a connection, some interaction. I have been pushing buttons, particularly that "unfriend" one. You three know this about me...I want to know that people I am talking with want to be talking with me. :-)
Now, don't get me wrong...These people are still my friends. When I see them face-to-face, I will want them to share with me anything and everything they want to share about their lives, their kids, their jobs, their hobbies! If they have photos, I will want to see them! And, if they are interested, I will share with them. I will LOVE to connect with them!
Facebook is a weird thing...But, I love it! Here are some of the reasons why:
~Kim shares her and Kirk's lives from Cape Town!
~Lisa notifies us from Tanzania when she has a new post on her amazing blog!
~Even though I haven't seen Gayle or Lynn since our high school reunion, and I've seen very little of Jodie and Kim, I kind of know what's going on in their lives!
~Debbie posts beautiful photos of her kayak trips with Mike!
~I was able to be with Ruthie at Sam's (Ruth and Randy's beloved son) memorial service because on fb news travels quickly.
~I am learning about the kind of grandma I want to be, seeing and reading about Patty's adventure with Taylor!
~My neighbors share photos of their trips, their grandchildren, their celebrations!
~My nieces and nephews, sisters, some who live near us and some who don't, post great photos of friends, events, and Hank!
~My cousins, cousins' kids, and aunts in Ill. and Wisc. keep us, here in California, informed! Photos of Aunt Roselyn skydiving! Dave's cycle trip up to Alaska! Cousins' weekend at the cabin! Erik and Meaghan's wedding!
~The Olsons, the Byers, the Austins, the Garcias, the Douglas family...dear friends! And, I get to see even more of them because of fb!
~Even though I haven't met little August, I have seen him! Saw a video of him saying his first word, "Mama"!
~Your friends (and my friends!), Jamie, Jessi, Kristi, Natalie, Danielle, AJ, Keli, Maryann...I love glimpses of their lives, encouraging verses, fun pictures! (I originally had Kyle down, too, until I remembered that I had "unfriend"ed him. Don't tell.)
~Oh yeah...and...I love just one more way of connecting with you, Ali, in NYC...with you, Greg, out at Loma Linda...and, with you, Nick, way down at Pt. Loma!
oxo-Mom
ps~Okay...the truth is...I have fb stalked two people. And, no, I will not name names. :-)
Anyway...back on track here...
Facebook... Your generation has their own use, and probably the intended use for Facebook. You all have 650, maybe 1000, maybe even 1500 fb friends. I don't know...Maybe you know these people, maybe you really care about what is going on in their lives...I don't know. And, maybe you have 1500 people who truly are interested in you! (I know I sure am!) Maybe you discover great, or funny, or insightful, or useful YouTube videos. Maybe you are more politically aware (or less) by viewing a link someone has posted.
I have decided...it doesn't work for me. I don't want to know all about some acquaintance, and even friends, without there ever being a connection. I don't want people knowing too much about me, without there being a connection, some interaction. I have been pushing buttons, particularly that "unfriend" one. You three know this about me...I want to know that people I am talking with want to be talking with me. :-)
Now, don't get me wrong...These people are still my friends. When I see them face-to-face, I will want them to share with me anything and everything they want to share about their lives, their kids, their jobs, their hobbies! If they have photos, I will want to see them! And, if they are interested, I will share with them. I will LOVE to connect with them!
Facebook is a weird thing...But, I love it! Here are some of the reasons why:
~Kim shares her and Kirk's lives from Cape Town!
~Lisa notifies us from Tanzania when she has a new post on her amazing blog!
~Even though I haven't seen Gayle or Lynn since our high school reunion, and I've seen very little of Jodie and Kim, I kind of know what's going on in their lives!
~Debbie posts beautiful photos of her kayak trips with Mike!
~I was able to be with Ruthie at Sam's (Ruth and Randy's beloved son) memorial service because on fb news travels quickly.
~I am learning about the kind of grandma I want to be, seeing and reading about Patty's adventure with Taylor!
~My neighbors share photos of their trips, their grandchildren, their celebrations!
~My nieces and nephews, sisters, some who live near us and some who don't, post great photos of friends, events, and Hank!
~My cousins, cousins' kids, and aunts in Ill. and Wisc. keep us, here in California, informed! Photos of Aunt Roselyn skydiving! Dave's cycle trip up to Alaska! Cousins' weekend at the cabin! Erik and Meaghan's wedding!
~The Olsons, the Byers, the Austins, the Garcias, the Douglas family...dear friends! And, I get to see even more of them because of fb!
~Even though I haven't met little August, I have seen him! Saw a video of him saying his first word, "Mama"!
~Your friends (and my friends!), Jamie, Jessi, Kristi, Natalie, Danielle, AJ, Keli, Maryann...I love glimpses of their lives, encouraging verses, fun pictures! (I originally had Kyle down, too, until I remembered that I had "unfriend"ed him. Don't tell.)
~Oh yeah...and...I love just one more way of connecting with you, Ali, in NYC...with you, Greg, out at Loma Linda...and, with you, Nick, way down at Pt. Loma!
oxo-Mom
ps~Okay...the truth is...I have fb stalked two people. And, no, I will not name names. :-)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Grandpa's Nine Lives
Your Aunt Debbi, Aunt Lori and I think that your grandpa may have that whole nine lives thing going on. He has used up several of them, but we think he still has some left! Twice in the past six weeks, since he has been in the hospital, we thought he was headed to heaven. And, both times he has gotten better! Thank You, Jesus, for added time!
Grandpa knows where he is going when his time here on earth is done. He doesn't seem fearful. Secretly, I think he would like more time to spend with us, with you, with Grandma. He kind of has a hard time pulling himself away from projects to be with his loved ones. Did you know that? :-) I think he would like to have another chance to work on that! He also wants to get back to the YMCA and walk Mandy on the beach.
Death...passing from this life to our true, eternal life...It's a strange thing. So...during my morning coloring time awhile back, I looked into this. In my journal, I titled this, "My Desire for My Perspective on Earth"...(again, just looking up some really cool verses and jotting them down...very creative and insightful of me! Right?!)
Phil. 3:20~"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Hebrews 13:14~"For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come."
John 17:3~"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
I John 5:20~"And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."
I John 2:15,17~"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him...The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
Matthew 16:24,25~"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'"
Luke 12:34~"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
II Cor. 4:16~"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day."
Hope...hope for our lives here on earth today...hope for an eternity with our God! Cool, huh?!
oxo-Mom
ps~Ali, so glad that you got to see Grandpa before heading back to NYC! Hopefully, that won't be the last time you see him!
Nick, thanks for coming to see him when I was at the hospital the other day! Fun getting yogurt together!
Greg, wonderful that you will see your Grandpa tomorrow! Should be a bit different than last time. ;-)
Grandpa knows where he is going when his time here on earth is done. He doesn't seem fearful. Secretly, I think he would like more time to spend with us, with you, with Grandma. He kind of has a hard time pulling himself away from projects to be with his loved ones. Did you know that? :-) I think he would like to have another chance to work on that! He also wants to get back to the YMCA and walk Mandy on the beach.
Death...passing from this life to our true, eternal life...It's a strange thing. So...during my morning coloring time awhile back, I looked into this. In my journal, I titled this, "My Desire for My Perspective on Earth"...(again, just looking up some really cool verses and jotting them down...very creative and insightful of me! Right?!)
Phil. 3:20~"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Hebrews 13:14~"For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come."
John 17:3~"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
I John 5:20~"And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."
I John 2:15,17~"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him...The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
Matthew 16:24,25~"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'"
Luke 12:34~"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
II Cor. 4:16~"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day."
Hope...hope for our lives here on earth today...hope for an eternity with our God! Cool, huh?!
oxo-Mom
ps~Ali, so glad that you got to see Grandpa before heading back to NYC! Hopefully, that won't be the last time you see him!
Nick, thanks for coming to see him when I was at the hospital the other day! Fun getting yogurt together!
Greg, wonderful that you will see your Grandpa tomorrow! Should be a bit different than last time. ;-)
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