I love movies. Jimmy and I go often and consider movies one of the great entertainments. One of our favorites is Forest Gump. Forest was such a good soul. Always kind, always generous, always ready to help another, very innocent. Of course, the best line in the movie was "Like my momma always said, life is like a box of chocolates....you never know what you're gonna get".
That line in the movie has made history...probably because it is so true. Our lives are like a box of chocolates. Each day brings new experiences, new challenges, new joys, new disappointments, new temptations and new hope. The question is, how will we view each new day of our lives? Forest always seemed to view it with hope and amazement. He was made fun of, rejected, bullied, persecuted, his love rejected and ignored. Yet, Forest still seemed to meet each day with joy and hope. He suffered through his challenges with confidence.
Some may say Forest was able to survive because he was challenged or disabled. They might say he was unable to comprehend what was going on. But I say Forest survived because he looked at life through the eyes of love and hope.
You know, studying Revelation this year reminds me of Forest. In the end, when our Lord returns, those left on earth will face the same, though even worse, challenges as Forest. Rejection, bullying, persecution, acts of unkindness, wickedness of other human beings, violence, immorality, depravity and more. Yet those who's faith is in our Savior, will look at each day with joy, love and hope. They'll have joy because God's plan will be coming to completion - when His Son will take the throne and be glorified .... every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord. Love and gratitude, because of what our Father has done in order to allow them to spend eternity with Him - sending His own Son to be our Savior. Hope, because their hopes will be fulfilled in eternity with Him - in a place He has prepared for us.
I am grateful for the joy, love and hope I have and will have when my Savior returns.
Was Forest challenged or did he have something others only think they have? What will you have when the race is finished? Will you have the love, joy and hope God gives to all believers?
Run Forest Run. Finished the race victoriously! Rejoice when the Lord says, "Well done my good and faithful servant".
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
WEDDING JOY!
Two down and one to go! Yep....our last son is getting married in February. Preparations are almost complete, dress bought, shoes on the way, Spanxs in the suitcase, reservations made and the rest is down hill from here.
To me, weddings are a total joy. I cry at weddings. Not tears of sadness, but of great joy. Weddings take place because two people have "chosen" to be joined together for a lifetime. They pledge their love and devotion to one another. They make a solemn oath and commitment before others and to each other. Two people begin their life with great joy and jubilation. What a wonderful time in one's life! Why not cry tears of joy?
True, marriage is a lifetime of commitment and work. Working to keep the relationship fresh. Working to please one's love. Working to do for the other what no one else would ever do because you love them. It is a work that brings great joy and intimacy.
True, there are those marriages, when two people do not keep the same commitment to one another, to do all the things they promise and pledge. But then....was that commitment/pledge ever really true to begin with? Was it simply one sided with selfish desires by one party? We are never promised marriage would be easy.
It reminds me of our true commitment and pledge to our faith - our love for the Lord Jesus. The Bible says He is our bridegroom and we are his bride. When we truly get to know Him, what is not to fall in love with? He's truthful, faithful, loving, merciful, kind, generous, slow to anger, eager to show love and desires to have an intimate relationship with us.
In these times of uncertainty, there are not many we can rely on. Not many we can trust to always be truthful, faithful to their word. Not many who are willing to give forgiveness and mercy, wanting only for us to love them with all our heart. The world is full of sin and wickedness, yet there is one who is all these good things and more.
When He returns, He will take those of us who love Him to His home. We will share in His wealth and glory, bask in His love. And all the pain and hurt, fear and injustice we experience here will be wiped away.
Is He your bridegroom? Have you committed to Him for eternity?
My prayer for Nikki and Anthony....is that they will pledge to each other, their commitment to love each other for all their earthly lives. To promise to the best of their ability their faithfulness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, slowness in anger and generosity. But most of all, together, pledge to their heavenly bridegroom, all the above, for eternity.
Who could possibly live a more joyful life than those who commit to Him?
I am grateful for the loves of my life, both my earthly groom and my heavenly groom. And, I am grateful for their love for me.
Love you Nikki and Anthony!
To me, weddings are a total joy. I cry at weddings. Not tears of sadness, but of great joy. Weddings take place because two people have "chosen" to be joined together for a lifetime. They pledge their love and devotion to one another. They make a solemn oath and commitment before others and to each other. Two people begin their life with great joy and jubilation. What a wonderful time in one's life! Why not cry tears of joy?
True, marriage is a lifetime of commitment and work. Working to keep the relationship fresh. Working to please one's love. Working to do for the other what no one else would ever do because you love them. It is a work that brings great joy and intimacy.
True, there are those marriages, when two people do not keep the same commitment to one another, to do all the things they promise and pledge. But then....was that commitment/pledge ever really true to begin with? Was it simply one sided with selfish desires by one party? We are never promised marriage would be easy.
It reminds me of our true commitment and pledge to our faith - our love for the Lord Jesus. The Bible says He is our bridegroom and we are his bride. When we truly get to know Him, what is not to fall in love with? He's truthful, faithful, loving, merciful, kind, generous, slow to anger, eager to show love and desires to have an intimate relationship with us.
In these times of uncertainty, there are not many we can rely on. Not many we can trust to always be truthful, faithful to their word. Not many who are willing to give forgiveness and mercy, wanting only for us to love them with all our heart. The world is full of sin and wickedness, yet there is one who is all these good things and more.
When He returns, He will take those of us who love Him to His home. We will share in His wealth and glory, bask in His love. And all the pain and hurt, fear and injustice we experience here will be wiped away.
Is He your bridegroom? Have you committed to Him for eternity?
My prayer for Nikki and Anthony....is that they will pledge to each other, their commitment to love each other for all their earthly lives. To promise to the best of their ability their faithfulness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, slowness in anger and generosity. But most of all, together, pledge to their heavenly bridegroom, all the above, for eternity.
Who could possibly live a more joyful life than those who commit to Him?
I am grateful for the loves of my life, both my earthly groom and my heavenly groom. And, I am grateful for their love for me.
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