excerpts from True Love (a TableTalk article by John MacArthur)

 

Ephesians 5:1-3

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper for saints.”

 

…true love is always sacrificial, self-giving, merciful, compassionate, sympathetic, kind, generous, and patient. (see 1 Cor. 13:4-8)

 

…But notice the negative side as well, also seen in the context of Ephesians 5.The person who truly loves others as Christ loves us must refuse every kind of counterfeit love.The apostle Paul names some of these satanic forgeries.

 

…Immorality is perhaps our generation’s favorite substitute for love.Paul uses the Greek word porneia, which includes ever kind of sexual sin.

 

…Impurity is another devilish perversion of love.Here Paul employs the Greek term akatharsia, which refers to every kind of filth and impurity.

 

…Covetousness is yet another corruption of love that stems from a narcissistic desire for self-gratification.

 

Such sins, Paul says, “must not even be named among you…”Of those who practice such things, he tells us, “Do not associate with them” (v. 7).

 

…we are not showing authentic love unless we are intolerant of all the popular perversions of love.

 

Most of the talk about love these days ignores this principle.“Love” has been redefined as a broad tolerance that overlooks sin and embraces good and evil alike.That’s not love; it’s apathy.

 

God’s love is not like that.

…Scripture explains the love of God in terms of sacrifice, atonement for sin, and propitiation.(1 John 4:10)

 

…Christ himself made Himself a sacrifice to turn away the wrath of an offended deity.Far from dismissing our sin with a benign tolerance, God gave His son as an offering for sing, to satisfy His own wrath and justice in the salvation of sinners.

 

That is the very heart of the Gospel.God manifests His love in a way that upheld His holiness, justice, and righteousness without compromise.True love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6).

That’s the kind of love we are called to walk in. It’s a love that is first pure, then peaceable.

 

If someone asked me, “Why can’t you just accept me (and my sin) the way I am?”, I would have to say, “Because I don’t accept me the way I am.” 

God didn’t call me to be the best me I can be.  He said, “Be like Christ.”  Who I am isn’t worth being like.

Only He is worthy!

 

 

 

later I’ll post excerpts from an article that put that thought in my head

Yesterday I lived for me

And I was so alone as I could be

Then I saw You and how You give yourself away

And I want to live for You today

 

I’ll give, and I’ll hold nothing

I’ll give…and I’ll hold nothing

I’ll give, and I’ll hold nothing

I’ll give and I’ll hold nothing

Back

 

                                                                                         ~from Smalltown Poets

 

lately it’s been so easy

for me to resent

people or circumstances

I grow bitter, cynical

 

I call it a mood

blame it on the food I ate

the sleep I didn’t get

blame it on hormones

or immaturity

 

the older I get the worse I seem to act

have I grown at all?

 

I know what I lack…thankfulness.

it sounds so trite to say

“count your blessings”

but have you ever tried it?

do you know how much it changes life?

 

will I ever learn?

will I stop grumbling long enough

to hear Your voice?

how can I possibly be like Christ

when this is who I am?

 

 

What a week!  Three times to the beach… I hadn’t been since the end of August last year.  And yes, I paid for it.  The red is slowly fading from my nose and the tops of my hands and shoulders.  Odd what gets the most sun when you’ve spent two hours holding onto a  board.  So far only my nose and a couple of spots just above my eyebrows have peeled, and that just a little.  A good moisturizer helps.  J

 

The Drama III plays were awesome.  I managed to go to each one, but in spite of being able to pick apart the mistakes, I was really moved by each performance.  The comedy was great—I laughed every time.  I still laugh when we quote things.  Some of it was seeing kids I know doing these parts so well.  Christopher and Noah and Shelly, especially,  have really good comedic timing, expression, etc.  Iestyn was wonderful.  Of course, my brother is the hero, but the story itself is marvelous.  I’m still amazed at what Stacy and Michelle were able to get across to the audience! 

And only one accident with  the swords.  Of course it was my brother, and he just had to do it in the first scene.  But he managed through his part fine, and I don’t think the audience even knew.  It is a deep cut—between his thumb and finger, but it’s more on the thumb and he didn’t cut any tendons.  You know my family…butterfly bandage!  Who wants stitches anyway.

 

Gracie started scooting!  Hurray!  In a way, I’ve been glad that she isn’t crawling…it makes her seem more baby (and I don’t want her to grow up so fast!).  But crawling (or creeping as the child-development people call it) is a very important step for babies, so I’m glad to see her motivated to move forward instead of backwards.  LOL  She does look so funny bumping along.  Sometimes she uses her feet and sometimes she just pulls along with her hands. 

We have had more battles in her training, though, now that she can be more accurate in her aim, so to speak.  For instance, the VCR…it’s not going anywhere, so she has to learn not to touch.  She switches hands, and does the whole put-my-hand-behind-me to reach it routine since if-I-can’t-see-me-touch-it-neither-can-you.  She is a smart cookie.  And for the first time in my life, I’m glad to see a child’s sin nature exert itself—at least we know everything’s working up there!

 

Yesterday was Gracie’s birthday.  I can hardly believe that we’ve only had her for a year, and yet it seems like yesterday that she was born.  She’s growing up too fast.  For once I’m grateful that she isn’t crawling yet…it makes her seem more baby. 

 

And today Katy (Samantha) is six.  They want to share a birthday.  Or—rather—Sam wants to share one and we assume Sonya doesn’t care.  I think it’s cute that Gracie was born the day before Sam’s birthday.  They’ll love it when the age gap lessens.

 

We went to the beach yesterday.  Sojourning and I took the children to visit our aunt and uncle in their rented condo.  I hadn’t actually planned on swimming (it’s been so darn chilly!), but I dressed for it anyway.   I’d forgotten how much I love the water!  I got out in the waves, got nearly knocked over a few times, and suddenly found myself laughing.  And I couldn’t stop.  I kept thinking What’s wrong with me?  I guess it was just the sheer pleasure of being in the ocean again.  I hadn’t been down there since the end of last August, and then the waves were…well, let’s just say they weren’t.  But they were great yesterday!  Not perfect for surfing, but close.  At least they weren’t the huge kind that build up over your head and then crash down on top of themselves and go nowhere.  We got some pretty good rides out of these.  My brothers and I fought over boards and took turns watching for the perfect swell.  And I got my aunt out there on a boogie board, too,  and taught her how to “surf”, which was awesome. 

 

 

I love the ocean.  It makes me feel free.  It feels like summer break; like the perfect Saturday.  At the beach you can believe that life will be what you want it to be.  Besides…at the beach I can laugh out loud or do a victory yell without anyone caring…or hearing, for that matter.  *grin* 

I know everyone says Galveston isn’t so great, but I love it.  I think I could very easily call it home.  I almost do in the summertime anyway.

 

We’re going back out there tomorrow morning when Grandma and another uncle come down from Austin.  I can’t wait.  We’ll have Steph with us then, and she’s a great beach buddy.

 

Next post I’ll answer some questions about my review of that song.  And then I’ll think I’ll do a poll about guy/girl friendships.  *wicked grin*

                                                                         

 

Okay, I’m going to rant today…hope ya’ll don’t mind.

 

I keep hearing this song on the radio, and while it’s catchy enough that I now going around singing it, I recently listened to the lyrics (I mean really listened) and have concluded that some things need to be said.

 

Dido wrote White Flag to her fiancé apparently after she called off their engagement.  I guess that would make him her ex-fiancé.  Anyway, there’s your background, now here’s the lyrics, with my comments mixed in –

 

I know you think that I shouldn’t still love you or tell you that

depends…

 

But if I didn’t say it, well I’d still have felt it

so?

 

Where’s the sense in that.

okay, whoever said sharing all your feelings was a good thing was never on the receiving end of something like this.  There’s a lot of UNSELFISH sense in not blurting out everything.  The one guy I “fell in love with” never found out and today he is happily married and I’m none the worse for keeping my mouth shut.  Whatever happened to honor?

 

I promise I’m not trying to make your life harder or return to where we were.

Riiiight.  So the point of this song is….?

 

 

But I will go down with this ship

 

And I won’t put my hands up and surrender

 

There will be no white flag above my door.

 

I’m in love, and always will be.

Well, bully for you, but I don’t think you’re much of a hero.

 

 

I know I left too much mess and destruction to come back again

Hello, lady!  If you want forgiveness, ask.  But for heaven sake, why’d you leave in the first place if you just want to go back?!

 

And I cause nothing but trouble

 

I understand if you can’t talk to me again.

 

And if you live by the rules of it’s over then I’m sure that that makes sense

Ummm…somebody remind me, but isn’t that what breaking off and engagement means?

 

 

But I will go down with this ship

 

And I won’t put my hands up and surrender

 

There will be no white flag above my door.

 

I’m in love, and always will be.

She sounds like she thinks she’s so strong and brave for still loving him…as if HE were the one to leave HER.  If she had written this about trying to SAVE her marriage I could see it. 

 

 

 

Keep in mind folks, I know none of the details of the story behind that song (if that story is even true), and I’m not bashing Dido.  But if I EVER treat a guy with so little respect for his feelings, slap me up’side the head, will ya?!

 

Okay, I’m done ranting.  Enjoy your weekend!

 

Spinnin’, laughin’, dancin’

To her favorite song

A little girl

With nothin’ wrong

Is all alone

 

Eyes wide open always hopin’

For the sun

And she’ll sing her song

To anyone that comes along

 

Fragile as a leaf in autumn

Just fallen to the ground

Without a sound

 

Crooked little smile

On her face

Tells a tale of Grace

That’s all her own

 

                                  -taken from Nora Jones’ album

 

 

 

That’s Gracie’s song.  Especially the part about grace (those were my caps, btw).  I think there’s a double meaning in that—God’s grace and her.  She  certainly does have a grace that’s all her own.  And she likes to sing to us, too.  Dad always says Jesus has a special place in His heart for children like her.  (She has Down Syndrome, for those of you who don’t know.)

You’d almost think that song was written just for her…

 

This movie has a lot of dumb parts, and it kind of needs TVG.  But parts of it were really cute. 

Topher Grace is the kind of actor who can use facial expressions to his (great) advatage.  He makes you wish you knew him (or, rather, his character) in real life.  I can’t believe he was in That 70’s Show.  He’s so much cuter in this.  (It’s the hair.)

P.S.  One of my favorite parts is when he’s making a sandwhich and singing along with a Barry White song.

 

Fellow online citizens…

Yikes, I don’t think I like that.  That implies that I (and you) live online.  NO!  Saave meeee!  *sigh*  I have been out of town for a week (in Austin, helping an aunt with painting projects), with no access to Xanga.  So, sorry Jake.  I just couldn’t!  I had a good time, visited with lots of extended family, held some new cousins (4 weeks and 8 weeks–and what’s with the single uncles/cousins who won’t hold a baby?!), and watched Project A (Jackie Chan).  Well, I couldn’t help it!  My cousins forced me!  *grin*  Actually it was pretty funny.  Trouble was, I never laughed at the things they thought were so funny.  And every time I was rolling on the floor (thinking my cheeks were going to get stuck that way), they just sat there!  Go figure.  I did learn that Chinese comedy is very cheesy slap-stick.  But it’s funny.  I guess that’s one of his earlier movies, because the other ones that I’ve been forced to watch are a little more serious.

Okay, I’m rambling.  I’m tired.  I stayed up talking with my cousin Kat until 2 am and then had to get up at six to be driven home.  (At least I didn’t have to drive myself.)  *Paint fumes? What paint fumes?*

Anyway, I will try to think of something clever and amazing to post (usually those are quotes from other people) in the next day or two.

Blessings from an amazing God….