FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 - LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 - LOVE WINS

“BLESSED”

Lately, I have been very blessed.  Or, (maybe more the reality), lately, I have noticed and appreciated how God has blessed me.

I have amazing friends, I have an amazing life, I have an amazing family (although estranged currently, I’m expecting reconciliation), I have amazing health.  God is so good to me.  He has blessed my thoughts and plans, he is blessing my future.

Now I understand that all of us probably have a slightly different view of God (and my view is not the only view).

I like the story of blind people meeting an elephant.  After the encounter with the elephant, one says, “An elephant is like a tree trunk” (he found the leg); another said, “An elephant is like a hose” (he found the trunk that sprayed water); a third said, “An elephant is like a rope” (he found the tail); a fourth said, “An elephant is like a bulging wall” (he found the elephant’s side).  And, really all were right - and yet now had a perfect understanding of the elephant.  (Can you imagine the argument that evening as the blind group got together?  “The elephant is like a tree trunk”, and his friends yelling at him, “You idiot, an elephant is NOT like a tree trunk at all”.  “Yes, it is” (from the original person).

So, person 1 says, “God is like a rock-steady and unmovable”.

Person 2 says, “God is love”

Person 3 (after reading why Moses was NOT allowed in the ‘Promised Land’ because he struck a rock in the desert twice) says, “God is harsh and unforgiving”.

Person 4 (reading after the resurrection - John 21 - where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved Him, and Peter answers three times, “Yes, I love you”.) “God is very forgiving”

And, other people from other backgrounds and approaches will say, “God is <some attribute>”.

I’m going to use Philippians 4 today (New Testament):

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“Don’t be anxious about anything - don’t worry, don’t fret.  And then God’s peace - “peace that passes all understanding” - so deep, so pure and perfect - will surround us!!!  WOW!!!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “

I’ve written frequently about GIGO - Garbage in; Garbage Out.  Somehow lately, I’ve been stopping most of the incoming ‘garbage’ and putting that last verse (Philippians 4:8) into practice: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “

Am I thinking about whatever is true?  (And, I’m not thinking of the political fighting about fake news).  Is God infinite?  Are His ways are ways (No - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Whatever is noble - the definition of noble is, “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.

What is pure - “free of any contamination.”

What is right - “the quality of being morally right or justifiable”

What is lovely - “exquisitely beautiful.”

Then the verse says “Think on those things.”  

Hey, if I’m somehow dwelling on truth, nobleness, right, pure, lovely - I’m probably NOT thinking of garbage (hatred, evil, slander, retribution, etc.).  

Yes, I’m actually TRYING to be a Pollyanna - I am trying to see everything with “rose-colored glasses”, to see the good in people (and not the evil), and - to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

And, not on my part, but on His part (however you view HIM - God), He has blessed me - and I have opened my blind eyes to see it.  

And, it has been amazing.  

Years ago, there was a song “Count your blessings instead of sheep” (from White Christmas)

If you're worried,
And you can't sleep,
Just count your blessings instead of sheep,
And you'll fall asleep,
Counting your blessings.

My eyes have seen the blessing God has.

Some other verses

John 13:17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.

John 1:16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

*****

Yes, I guess I got on my spiritual soapbox today - but I have been floating on air.  I can almost tangibly feel God’s blessings upon me.  

I’ve written about the “spark” - and maybe I’ve been swept away with the ‘spark’.  But, hey, it’s pretty neat!!!

YES - FRIDAY - LOVE DOES WIN

HUGS!!

Karen