Give Me Jesus!

 I love mornings when I get to wake up early and begin my day at a leisurely pace, usually with a cup of coffee. This morning I sat down to drink a fresh cup of the heavenly goodness from one of my favorite mugs. This mug is my favorite because it is large (more coffee! Yay!),and a simple cross adorns it. It’s a reminder to me that not only do I want coffee to start my day, I more importantly need Jesus! While enjoying the first few sips I was reminded of two things as I watched the steam rise.

First, just as the steam lifted from my cup, I’m reminded Jesus is not on that Cross any longer. He arose from death (Luke 2, Acts). With purpose, Jesus permeates the lives of those who invite him in (Acts 2:38). The first delights of his goodness promise something rich and fulfilling as we taste what he has in store.

Secondly, when that pot of coffee starts brewing and I breath in the aroma of coffee as it fills the house my desire to drink of it grows with anticipation. Even people who claim to not like coffee (how can this be?!) often comment that they enjoy the smell-- some even going as far as to say they wished they liked coffee. I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 2:15:

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”

Coffee has a distinct and pleasurable smell. If I were to spend my morning in a coffee shop, I’m pretty sure I’d come out smelling like coffee. At the very least my breath would smell of coffee. Though I fail miserably and often, I want my life to smell like Christ. Do I spend enough time with Christ to become HIS aroma? When we are filled with Christ, the way we live should be as such that others are drawn to him. Not because of anything we’ve done, but because of the change that Jesus makes within us. How can we change so that others recognize that our lives smell distinctly and desirably different?

LOL

Typically while on vacation at our "island home" various sentiments are spoken from the family with a common theme. They vary from, "I wish we could move here," "I wish we could stay here forever." "This is Heaven," and so on.

This year conversations were held with the little ones. It was made clear that if we moved to the beach then everyone else could to! We would miss everyone- family and friends. We couldn't leave anyone behind!

That got me thinking though. We have a large family and we love everyone of em'! Aunts, uncles, great aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents they would have to move! Then we can't forget the friends. We have a LOT of friends. Especially if we consider all 10 of us that went on vacation...we each have lots of friends! It's safe to say we love everyone of em' too! And well, they would have to move to the beach too! We really would miss everyone.

It's a pretty big island and we would all fit on it for sure. But if we moved there and all the people we loved and  wanted to be there moved, then, well I suspect they have family and friends they love and would want to be there too...AND then they would have people they loved....and then those people would have people they loved! At some piont the island would be full of people- and way full of people who love people. I wonder what it would be like to wake up and realize that my neighbor was someone I didn't know but that somebody I loved asked to move to that island with me loved! Confused? It's simple really! LOL! There's Lots of Love in this world. What if we chose to love people we don't even know because we are all connected by other people who love?

What if we take it to an eternal level and strive to make it to Heaven with all those people? What if we made Jesus the most common love theme and made his love known. Because that stranger we meet is indeed loved by Him! 

That's enough soft and cuddly for now :) 
It's a little uncomfortable to make my thoughts known sometimes. They aren't always the most polished or sophisticated...so remember LOL! please :)

Summer Giggles

There is an immature side of me that has been giggling these past few weeks of summer. The sun is shinning, the heat is on, and well, for some ladies the clothing has all but slipped away!  Has anyone else noticed the naked ladies popping up all over town? I caught my first glance in my neighbor's yard of all places! As the days went by they showed up outside of respectable businesses, near the porches of nicely manicured lawns, and sometimes right out in the middle of nowhere with nothing to attempt to hide behind! There is never just one. They seem to prefer a crowd.
I suppose I should be offended at the sight of them. My dad shudders if you even mention the sighting of a naked lady. He can't stand them! Oddly enough though he's allowed them to hang out around his and mom's pool in the back yard! Of all things!
Theses naked ladies really are none too shapely. Though they are tall and lean, my opinion says they are much to thin and lacking in curves. At least they have sense enough to blush at their nakedness.They are said to be descendants of a much more modest, though sometimes more colorful group of women. I suppose you can see the resemblance in the shapes of their face.

If what they say about men is true, I can't quite figure why there haven't been more wrecks around town from gawking men! These naked ladies seem to have no power! Like I said, I've probably taken more notice to them as well as many other women. Instead of being jealous, self conscience, or making comparisons, women are actually laughing and joking about the naked ladies! They are even allowing their men to be alone with them! Some men have even brought naked these naked ladies home! Can you imagine?!
*As I type my eye is drawn to one outside my window. It's late now, but perhaps tomorrow I'll pick it and place it in the center of my table.

*Some parts of this may or may not be entirely true. For instance I can't see a single one outside my window right now.

Late night thoughts....At what point does the church settle for covering of sin and making things appear "right," instead of addressing the underLYING problems. If we set out to make a person feel better about themselves (or have the mentality of "at least they aren't doing this or that anymore) without addressing the heart of the matter, is that not doing much worse? Do we want to set each other up to be obedient to God's word, or do we settle for quick fixes that lead to further brokenness down the road? Sometimes truth hurts. Are we willing to put relationships on the line by speaking truth to each other? Are we willing to accept truth?

So I really kept up with the whole blogging thing huh? 

Contemplating having a go at it again. What to blog about has me stumped. My seemingly decreasing grammar skills are also holding me back.

Anyhow, just putting this short post up to either spur or nix the itch to write :)