Title: College Basketball Star and Love of God
One reason for the current success of the University of Miami basketball team is forward James Jones. The 6-foot-8-inch, 211-pounder is as successful off the court as on, building a reputation as a generous member of the Miami student body. He says:
My desire is to live out my faith in such a way that people can see Jesus Christ in me without me ever having to say a word. I'll be the first person in the middle of the night to go pick someone up from the airport. I love people. Whoever I come in contact with I just try to display and express God's love.
Citation: "The Insider," Sports Spectrum (1-3-02)
Title: The Omelette
Brother Lawrence was a cook in a monastery. He learned to press meaning into virtually every action of his day. Note his capacity to see not only meaning but also purpose in his labor:
"I turn my little omelette in the pan for the love of God. When it is finished, if I have nothing to do, I prostrate myself on the ground and worship my God, who gave me this grace to make it, after which I arise happier than a king. When I can do nothing else, it is enough to have picked up a straw for the love of God. People look for ways of learning how to love God. They hope to attain it by I know not how many different practices. They take much trouble to abide in His presence by varied means. Is it not a shorter and more direct way to do everything for the love of God, to make use of all the tasks one's lot in life demands to show him that love, and to maintain his presence within by the communion of our heart with his? There is nothing complicated about it. One has only to turn to it honestly and simply.
See: Col 3:17; Josh 22:5; Mark 12:30
Title: Showing Love
Dr. Ruth Westheimer's Good Sex radio and television programs are not primarily about sex. Most of the callers yearn for good relationships. Time and again callers ask, "How can I make this person love me?"
Author Elizabeth Elliot says she is often asked, "What can I do to get him to notice me?" Her surprising answer: "Nothing. That is, nothing toward the man. Don't call him. Don't write a little note with a smiley face. Don't sidle up to him in the hall and gasp, 'I've just got to talk to you!' Don't ignore him, don't pursue him, don't do him favors, don't talk about him to nine carefully selected listeners. Direct your energies to obedience to God, not to nailing the man."
At first glance, Elliot's perspective may seem like an inefficient way to find a boyfriend or girlfriend. Yet her point is that all these tricks don't really change or attract people. On the other hand, if we concentrate on living our lives as God would have us live, people will be attracted to that love which shows through us.
See: Psa 84:2; Heb 6:10
Title: Balanced Love
Missionary-evangelist Stanley Jones writes:
Swami Shivananda, a famous swami in India, used to tell his disciples: "Kill the mind and then, and then only, can you meditate." The Christian position is "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy mind" -- the intellectual nature; "with all thy heart" -- the physical nature. The total person is to love him -- mind, emotion, will, strength. But the "strength" might mean the strength of all three. Some love him with the strength of the mind and the weakness of the emotion -- the intellectualist in religion; some love him with the strength of emotion and the weakness of the mind -- the sentimentalist in religion; some love him with the strength of the will and the weakness of emotion -- the man of iron who is not very approachable. But loving God with the strength of the mind, the strength of the emotion, and the strength of the will -- that makes the truly Christian and the truly balanced and the truly strong character.
Title: The Love Letter
For forty-three years, at one minute after midnight on Christmas Eve, Bert Holloway of Cambridge, England has handed his wife, Ethel a love letter. The gift is a tradition that they started when they were married. Mrs. Holloway says she treasures all the love letters from her husband.
This surely is a lovely tradition. It has a message, too, for God's people. Christmas is a time when we should express our love for God, because He has expressed His love for us in the gift of His Son. Let us this Christmas express our love and gratitude to God by giving ourselves anew to Him.
See: John 15:12; 1 John 4:19
Title: The Valentine Legend
According to legend, the valentine takes its name from a young Christian who once lived in ancient Rome. Like so many of the early Christians, Valentine had been imprisoned because of his faith. Often and longingly he thought of his loved ones, and wanted to assure them of his well-being and his love.
Beyond his cell window, and beyond reach, grew a cluster of violets. He picked some heart-shaped leaves and pierced them to spell the words, "Remember your Valentine," then sent them off by a friendly dove. On the next day and the next, he sent more messages that simply said, "I love you." Thus did the valentine have its beginning. On Valentine's Day, people of all ages remember those they love by sending valentines.
God loves us and He sends His blessings to show His affection. Best of all, He sent us the gift of His Son to be our Savior and Lord. Send God a valentine -- your repentant, grateful heart -- to show Him He has not loved in vain.
See: Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:10-11
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