God's Choice - Love!

So, where does "love" actually begin?

What causes us to start loving?

Must "love" always fade with time, and if so, why?

What does this have to do with our relationship with God?

Every one who has ever had children, and loved them, has experienced the heartache that goes with seeing them begin to change, losing their child-like innocence and trust. Something has started an alteration that scares parents badly. Growing up ALWAYS brings about changes in our kids. I know I've spent a lot of time in prayer, begging and pleading with God that some way be found to keep these characteristics in the kids I love, and let them grow up without losing these traits. Please, God! Oh, please!

The bible tells us, "Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." (2 Cor 12:14) drv

"Parents for the children." Hmmm... We also know that the Bible tells us to raise up our kids in the way we want them to go, and they will not depart from it.

But, we are also aware that children always change... always.

There are many kids I care a lot about. Some of them have "adopted" me as uncle or grandfather, one as a "best friend." I love each of them quite a lot. I worry about every one, and pray a lot for all of them.

They cannot just "stay kids." God never intended it to be that way. He has given them freedom of choice, just as He gave it to all of us. In the same manner that you and I have veered from God's chosen path, so also will our kids as they grow older, and it will always hurt us because of our love for them.

But, what started this love that we share with our children? Why does it hurt so much when these inevitable changes start to happen?

What is "love," anyway? Where does it start, and why?

A lot of men will find this to be disquieting, but a child's love begins with its trust in its mother. Knowing that mom will take care of them, no matter what, makes the infant learn to love. It takes a little longer with dad, but the process of developing a love for him starts in much the same way.

Our love for God is also based on trust. "As for God, his way is perfect; The word of Jehovah is tried: He is a shield to all that trust in him." (2 Sam 22:31) dar

"But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you." (Psalm 5:11) web

Kids can only love those whom they trust. As the world erodes their trust, they begin to change. It is inevitable, and it is extremely heart-wrenching...

God feels about us in much the same way. His love for us is boundless. Good or bad, old or young, it makes no difference. He loves us all. He has proven, over and over again, that He is worthy of our trust, and our love. He hurts because of each and every one who has ever rejected Him. But, still He loves us, and always will... eternally.

"But you, O man of God, keep yourself from these things, and go after righteousness, religion, faith, love, a quiet mind, gentle behaviour." (1 Tim 6:11) bev

God doesn't want us to change, any more than we want our kids to do so. Trust Him, and love Him as your little child loves you. When worries seem overpowering, when life seems to be handing you more than you can deal with, when it all feels hopeless, turn to the only One who truly can make it all right again.

Oh, and make sure your children know beyond all doubt that they can ALWAYS trust you. You exemplify God's love to them.

Until we all meet again, in paradise.

One of the reasons we love kids...

.....
You know that incredible feeling you get when you unexpectedly find a love note under your dinner fork that says,

I love you!
love, Sally

A wash of profound emotion pours all over you. You find yourself wondering how any human could be so loved, and still live!

What about when your youngest says you need to adopt a baby donkey. And it can live in the bathroom "Since we don't use it."

Remember the time your child found a baby bird that had fallen from its nest? You were sure that there was no way for it to survive another day, but she'd already named it "Squishy."

Love for our children is a natural part of us, but we didn't invent it. It is a magnificent gift from God, and it is part of the reason He wants us to come to Him with the innocence of little children. We learned our delight in kids from Him!

Remember how much fun it was, listening to your little ones trying to find the "perfect name" for your new dog or cat?

"So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one." (Gen 2:19)nlt

Knowing how kids pick names for pets today, I'd bet Adam came up with; "fuzzy, toothy, wiggly, feathers," and a bunch of other similar names. And I bet, just like any proud parent, God smiled and said, "Great names!"

We didn't invent pride in our kids, and joy at their endeavors... but we were blessed to have inherited these awesome things from our wonderful God!

Thank God for all He's done! He deserves it!

Giving Thanks

Do you?

Most people don't... even most who consider themselves Christians.

We have it so easy today. Our world is fast-paced, automated & mechanized. If you're thirsty, you don't have to walk to a well or creek, you pop the top on a cola. Hungry? You head to McBurgers just down the block. Almost no one today has to farm, hunt, fish or scavenge, just to survive. We eat and drink without thinking about it. It has become part of our background.

Our kids pick our attitudes up from us. When you grab a snack at a convenience store, do you thank God for the candy and drink? Your kids won't, either. They've learned it from you. When they grow up and have their own children, those kids (your grandkids!) will be even less likely to give thanks.

The bible says; "...unto the seventh generation" remember?

God has given us so much, and if we're honest, we don't deserve any of it. Give thanks to Him! Do it now. Be vocal. Be sure your kids hear you, and ask them to join in.

Remember, He did not have to make things any easier on us than it was in Moses' time!

He has even allowed us to have modern technology. If it were not for the internet, I couldn't even post this message at all. Thanks, God!

Till we meet again, in Paradise!

Just what is it about kids that Jesus loves?

What was it about children that made Jesus love them so much? Why did He instruct His apostles to let the children come to Him? Is there something here we are overlooking?

Almost everyone loves little babies. As children age, they go through the "terrible twos" and eventually reach their "terrifying teens." Still, most people like most kids (of any age) better than their own-age peers. What is it that is so different about kids?

There is no doubt that there is a lot that is evil about our world, and all of it is a corrupting influence on our lives. Kids have been exposed to less of it (so far), and are therefore less corrupt and more pure than are most adults.

Hmmm...

From the book; "Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, 'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.' "(John 3:3-7) kjv -and- "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believed not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"(John 3:12)kjv

Here is the problem, in a nutshell.

Our understanding is shaped and influenced by our exposure to things that have happened to us, here on this earth, and in our lifetimes. Little children take almost everything on faith, because people they trust tell them it is so. God wants us to take His Word on faith, because He said so. He wants us to place our trust in Him!

As our kids grow older, their willingness to believe is whittled away by being hurt, by being lied to and by being ignored. In short, what is good is steadily eroded and eaten away by the evil of this world.

Jesus loves the innocence of children. He loves their trust and their hunger for His friendship. That is the goal we have, in our relationship with God. We must be reborn into the childlike trust in Him that is the hallmark of children! As a little child trusts mom and dad to take perfect care of him or her, so must we put our trust in Our Lord to take perfect care of us.

We must be born again!

God's gift to us - Children!

-This is a common theme of mine. Forgive me for covering it again-

Almost 45 years ago, I joined a group called TARs. Its intended pupose was to help retarded children fit into society. I discovered that I bonded fairly well with these kids. Most people, unfortunately, treated them as though they were carriers of some contagious disease. I tried instead to meet them at whatever level they were capable of. The kids usually responded well, as most people didn't even want them around at all. This experience shaped my understanding of children, in general. Meet them at whatever level they are able to achieve and they will open their hearts to you.

About 20 years later, I met a couple at church who had one child who'd been born deaf, as a result of some disease the mother had contracted during her pregnancy. The doctors had advised her to have an abortion because of the high probability that the child might be deformed by the disease. They chose instead to have their child, and she was absolutely beautiful little girl. When I met them, the kid was about 8 or 9. I did notice that adults treated her the same as the retarded kids were generally treated, as if she were a carrier of some horrible disease. Bcause I accepted her as she was, she thought it would be great if she could teach me sign language so that we could communicate better. In less than 3 weeks, however, her family had moved to Tennessee.

I have always wished I could have had 10 to 12 kids, but that was not to be. At one point I figured an acceptable substitute might have been to be in charge of an orphanage, but that never came about, either. Instead, God granted me a number of "foster" grandchildren. Each one asked me to be his or her substitute grandfather! Even though they aren't truly mine, I love every one of them as much as though they were.

It is critical that we see our children, all of them, as the precious gift that God intended them to be. All too many people today seem to feel that kids are nothing but a burden to be dealt with by whatever means they find expedient. Abortion is considered an admirable way to eliminate unwanted babies. Sadly, people do not see it as murder of a helpless human being. Our world is truly becoming satanic.

What does our Lord have to say about kids? "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and don't prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.' And He put His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left." (Mat 19:14-15) tlb

Jesus valued kids so much that He rebuked His apostles when they tried to prevent these children from spending time with Him. If our Lord places so much value on children, how can we do any less? Open your arms to them. Love them. Show them they mean the world to you, just as they do to God! The reward is beyond measure!

See you soon, in Paradise!

Witnessing in real life

A few months back, my much loved granddaughter wrote a letter to the president. In it she expressed her views on the environment and ecology, after which she wrote (exactly as shown here),
"I am a Christian. I love God. Did you know God sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins so we can be forgiven."

Incredible!

Absolutely amazing!

The vast majority of Christians NEVER get around to witnessing to anyone, and here is a 3rd grader witnessing to the president of the United States! Set aside your political feelings (whatever they are) and, just for a moment, consider the awesome possibilities here...

Remember, Paul was turned from persecuting, torturing and murdering early Christians into the greatest witness for Christ EVER! What could God work in our world with a man who became a true Christian while holding the highest office of the most powerful nation in the world?
It is totally humbling...

We've all heard the expression "out of the mouths of babes," here we see the true meaning of that phrase.

I am not one who believes in exposing children to even the slightest chance of personal harm, so allow me to address her in this manner;
"My Princess, I am so proud of you! I love you very much! You are the heroine I will always think of when I am faced with difficult tasks. I pray as constantly as I can that God uses your beautiful testimony to effect a change for the better in this man, and through him, our world."
I ask all who read this to join me in prayer that this happens.

"Father, thank You for the opportunity to see such sincere, simple faith in action. I feel overcome that You have allowed me to be even a small part of Your plan. Please keep Your hand of protection over this child, and all children. Please help me to love, trust, and follow You with a heart like that of this child. Amen."

Mr Mike

All are our children - part 3

- others -

What others? Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, adoptees, foster children, neighbors, students and add-ons can depend upon us to fill in for biological parents. It can occasionally occur with kids we don't even know, for example, a lost child at the supermarket.

These children are usually not related to us, and with the exception of adoptees, any relationship we may have is temporary. A youngster may merely need someone to supply short-term emotional support. Regardless of the circumstances, if you become a kid's "hero," you MUST live up to the image! He (or she) must be more protected with you, than even would be the case with the natural parents. At the same time, you must be a padded cage, invisible to the child, that separates that child from you, as well as from any potential harmful elements. The kid's safety MUST be PARAMOUNT!

Our society does not make this easy. It seems that abusing children has become the accepted norm in this evil world. You cannot stop all of it, but you can help to insulate the ones in your care from such abuse. Keep being the hero! God is counting on you!

Jesus told us, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (MAT 19:14) KJV

If we do not help protect all children from all harm, then we are no better than those who intend to do them harm!

Remember, they are all our children! Every last one belongs to, and is precious to, our Lord.

With your help, we'll get to see them all again, in Paradise!

Mr Mike