Heartful, Not Hurtful

The value of a gift should not be determined by the preferences of the heart that receives it, but through the love of the heart that gives it.

When self image and preservation prevents us from experiencing things that differ from our own tastes, then we have become selfish with our love while burdening others with the insult of avoidance.

Love's power, beyond the superficial, can't be known by us until we are willing to loosen our necktie, let down our hair, and embrace the variety of other hearts around us.

Love that knows how to give is first love that has learned how to receive.

PJR 

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16)

Father's Day

There are three things in life that remain faithful,. No, four. Make it five.

Jesus

Your children

A noble wife.

A friend who sticks by closer than a brother.

Your dog.

Easter Sunday

"And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living." (Matthew 22:31-32)

"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless." (Matthew 22:11-12)

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)

Those who celebrate Resurrection Sunday while avoiding their own Good Friday, will just end up laying a big easter egg.

PJR

"We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:4-5)