This is my first blog for 2011, I am so excited about this New Year and I am ready to share all that I am learning through the "Love Dare". Love expresses gratitude really made me stop and think. Am I doing this with my family, friends, and my sweetheart? Have I stopped and taken the time out of my busy day to share ONE thing that I am grateful for? It seems like a small thing, right? So.... why haven't I made the time to share with the ones I love why I am grateful for them?
"I thank God in all my remembrance of you." Philippians 1:3
Am I truly grateful for those God has placed in my life? We are commanded to love and to give thanks for all we have and in any circumstance, "Your happiness in life is related to the depth of your gratitude."Just think about that powerful statement, are you grateful for all you have been given? Even in the tough times, when it seems nothing is going right are you grateful?
I examined my own life and could see where I haven't shown gratitude for all God has given me, and I have been given more than I deserve but it is by His grace and love that I have been given all I have.
"A grateful person can find contentment regardless of his/her circumstance."
That really touched me, regardless of the circumstance I can be content. How many times do we find ourselves complaining, stressing out? when we should stop and be Grateful for what we have been given NOT focusing on what we want.
Many of you are at different stages in your life- some may be married, single, engaged etc. We all have things that we can be grateful for.
This week make a list that you are grateful for and share them with the people in your life. By making it known what we are grateful for we are showing love, we are loving as God commands us to.
Thankful for all you are showing me in this study The Love Dare, may my life show your love as You want me to love others.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Love Listens
I am learning so much about love, what it is, what it's not, and how much I don't understand the love that God intended us to have with someone. I thought that I understood what it was to love someone, sure it's like the movies right? You have butterflies when you're around them, just the sight of them sends your heart pounding, just hearing their voice makes it all better, isn't that the signs of love? Or is that what I have made love become just feelings, but.....can't those change? So I have immersed myself in studying the " Love Dare" and it's been so eye opening and something I was studying really touched me, "Love Listens"
Now many of you who have known me for years, or some of you I have just met in the last few years know that I am loud, energetic, always on the go, but sometimes I have a hard time listening to others. This verse impressed my heart, really stop and just read it and even place your name in the front of the verse.
" Understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." James 1:19
I started to think about the relationships in my life with my family, friends, and my boyfriend I had to ask myself "Ruth, are you slow to anger?" Has there been a time that I responded in a short, angry way, or one that hurt someone I love? Many thoughts came to mind, situations I had faced, and I started thinking could I have handled them differently?
As I started this study I realized that how I respond reflects the condition of my heart. If I am angry because of unmet expectations or their hurtful words, I saw that I responded harshly. If I am to love then I must take time to listen patiently and give the other person consideration even if it is undeserved.
Love must become my motivation, few of us listen patiently and many it does not come naturally. It is however a necessary ingredient in a relationship. I started thinking how I can start to listen more? I thought I was a good listener, but I tend to just hear what I want to hear, and then it's my turn to speak my mind on the issue. So I have come up with a new way to approach it, I will listen patiently, not interrupt them, not talk over them, make sure they have said everything they wanted to share, and before I respond I need to let love lead.
This week I am going to challenge myself to show patience by saying nothing negative to my family, friends, and my boyfriend. It's better to hold my thoughts than to say something I will regret. Show me how to listen, that I may hear what the person is telling me and in my response let it be one of love.
Reminded that : "Love Listens"
Now many of you who have known me for years, or some of you I have just met in the last few years know that I am loud, energetic, always on the go, but sometimes I have a hard time listening to others. This verse impressed my heart, really stop and just read it and even place your name in the front of the verse.
" Understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." James 1:19
I started to think about the relationships in my life with my family, friends, and my boyfriend I had to ask myself "Ruth, are you slow to anger?" Has there been a time that I responded in a short, angry way, or one that hurt someone I love? Many thoughts came to mind, situations I had faced, and I started thinking could I have handled them differently?
As I started this study I realized that how I respond reflects the condition of my heart. If I am angry because of unmet expectations or their hurtful words, I saw that I responded harshly. If I am to love then I must take time to listen patiently and give the other person consideration even if it is undeserved.
Love must become my motivation, few of us listen patiently and many it does not come naturally. It is however a necessary ingredient in a relationship. I started thinking how I can start to listen more? I thought I was a good listener, but I tend to just hear what I want to hear, and then it's my turn to speak my mind on the issue. So I have come up with a new way to approach it, I will listen patiently, not interrupt them, not talk over them, make sure they have said everything they wanted to share, and before I respond I need to let love lead.
This week I am going to challenge myself to show patience by saying nothing negative to my family, friends, and my boyfriend. It's better to hold my thoughts than to say something I will regret. Show me how to listen, that I may hear what the person is telling me and in my response let it be one of love.
Reminded that : "Love Listens"
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
"The Love Dare" Day 44
Love Examines the Heart
In studying and learning about what love is and how to love as God loves, has been a humbling experience. I am learning through this study that in order to truly love someone, I have to examine my heart in order to learn how to love unconditionally. This verse stuck out to me "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me me and know my concerns." Psalm 123:23
We choose how we respond in certain situations that occur in our relationships with family, friends, boyfriends etc. I started to think "do I respond in love?" or do I react in ways that hurt my relationship?
It really made me think about the times I have acted in anger, versus taking the time to think before I speak so that I don't hurt someone that I care about. Acting in anger, is the first sign that we have a heart issue, it sounds weird but I have been thinking about this and how it affects my relationships.
Here are some questions that you should ask yourself. Am I being selfish when I act out in anger? Would God be disappointed in the way I handled the situation? Is there something that from the past making me angry or upset that I already promised to forgive? By asking these questions I started to see that I am getting upset sometimes for no reason or I am bringing up things from the past. It is sometimes hard to examine yourself and see things that you might be doing to your relationships, but I am learning that in order for me to love others I must look at my heart and how I react to others.
Consider the reason that is given why we should stop complaining and start a self examination instead.
Lamentations 3:39-40
Why should the living complainwhen punished for their sins?
Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
May I learn to react in a way that always shows Your love, show me Your ways that I may love as You love.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
"The Love Dare" Day 23
" Love is Patient"
As I am studying today in "The Love Dare" the topic is one that I know doesn't always come easy for me patience. Even before I can continue I have to stop and ask God to open my mind and heart to be open to what He has to show me regarding "patience". Many of you reading this may also struggle with this as well, I know it is not always easy for me to be patient. I will admit I'm a bit of a control freak, I want things done a certain way, and yes I do lose my patience when things don't go as planned. I admit it's an area I must work on because as we all know it does effect the relationships we have with others.
Ephesians 4:2 " Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
As I have been studying I am learning so much about loving someone the way God intends us to, and when we love it is must be selfless and pure not expecting anything in return. I am seeking what God has for me and Jay and as I continue to study , I learned that the more I learn to love, then my patience will begin to grow.
"In fact, patience is one of the attributes that best defines what love is."
I started to think about how hectic my life can get , with work, traveling, other commitments, and on top of all that I have a relationship. Made me think of the times I haven't been so patient or had no patience at all and I didn't show love. I am learning that when I choose to be patient in a negative situation, it's a choice to slow down and just take it all in versus responding in a restless or demanding way. It was a wake up call for me, in the aspect that sometimes I don't show patience with Jay, also with my family, and friends. I choose how I will react and I must learn to patient and respond in a loving way. It's not always going to be easy I know, but in order to love as God loves it's an area in my life that I have to ask God to help me with.
"Bearing with one another in love" is the motto I have chosen to carry with me each day and in my relationship that in it all I respond in a loving manner no matter what the situation.
Think about how you can show love daily? Can you be more patient with others and the ones you love?
It's a great reminder that "Love is patient"
My prayer:
"Thank you Lord for showing me an area that I need to work on, also may I be patient with my family, friends, and Jay. May I choose to react in every situation with love and remind me that love is patient. I want to lead a life of love, that others will see You are in my life."
As I am studying today in "The Love Dare" the topic is one that I know doesn't always come easy for me patience. Even before I can continue I have to stop and ask God to open my mind and heart to be open to what He has to show me regarding "patience". Many of you reading this may also struggle with this as well, I know it is not always easy for me to be patient. I will admit I'm a bit of a control freak, I want things done a certain way, and yes I do lose my patience when things don't go as planned. I admit it's an area I must work on because as we all know it does effect the relationships we have with others.
Ephesians 4:2 " Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
As I have been studying I am learning so much about loving someone the way God intends us to, and when we love it is must be selfless and pure not expecting anything in return. I am seeking what God has for me and Jay and as I continue to study , I learned that the more I learn to love, then my patience will begin to grow.
"In fact, patience is one of the attributes that best defines what love is."
I started to think about how hectic my life can get , with work, traveling, other commitments, and on top of all that I have a relationship. Made me think of the times I haven't been so patient or had no patience at all and I didn't show love. I am learning that when I choose to be patient in a negative situation, it's a choice to slow down and just take it all in versus responding in a restless or demanding way. It was a wake up call for me, in the aspect that sometimes I don't show patience with Jay, also with my family, and friends. I choose how I will react and I must learn to patient and respond in a loving way. It's not always going to be easy I know, but in order to love as God loves it's an area in my life that I have to ask God to help me with.
"Bearing with one another in love" is the motto I have chosen to carry with me each day and in my relationship that in it all I respond in a loving manner no matter what the situation.
Think about how you can show love daily? Can you be more patient with others and the ones you love?
It's a great reminder that "Love is patient"
My prayer:
"Thank you Lord for showing me an area that I need to work on, also may I be patient with my family, friends, and Jay. May I choose to react in every situation with love and remind me that love is patient. I want to lead a life of love, that others will see You are in my life."
Thursday, October 28, 2010
"The Love Dare" Day 350
This is day 14 of the "Love Dare" devotional that I am studying with my sweetheart. Today's title is " Love Extends Itself" the verse that if focuses on is Genesis 2:18 "I will make a suitable helper for him." In this study it talk about how God created a help mate for man. It shows how we are not sufficient alone and that we need a partner.
As I try to relate this to my life, and my relationship with my boyfriend, I realize how important my role is. It's not always so easy for me to love my sweetheart when I don't agree with him, or I'm having a bad day etc. I saw how each one of our role's are dependent on the other 's help and it becomes impossible without God's provision for one to perform both jobs alone.
It really showed me that love is a selfless act one that you give with no expectations or expecting anything in return. As I learn how to love Jay the way God intends for me to love, I have to ask God to teach me to love the way He would love. I know many of you may be in a relationship, married, or some are single. Relationships are work and loving someone doesn't always come so easy, I think we all can agree, however if we ask God to show us to love as He would. It's a daily process, one that I am learning so much about, my prayer is that God would fill me life with love. That every day as I live, that my life shows love, in my words, and actions. This is a journey that is showing me so much about myself and how I love the one's who are very dear to me.
My prayer is that God continue to make me the woman He would have me be, and that I show love to others daily and that I will love as He loves me. This an amazing study and I encourage anyone to get this book.
This is my favorite quote that has impacted my relationship and one that always reminds me how I should love.
I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with
As I try to relate this to my life, and my relationship with my boyfriend, I realize how important my role is. It's not always so easy for me to love my sweetheart when I don't agree with him, or I'm having a bad day etc. I saw how each one of our role's are dependent on the other 's help and it becomes impossible without God's provision for one to perform both jobs alone.
It really showed me that love is a selfless act one that you give with no expectations or expecting anything in return. As I learn how to love Jay the way God intends for me to love, I have to ask God to teach me to love the way He would love. I know many of you may be in a relationship, married, or some are single. Relationships are work and loving someone doesn't always come so easy, I think we all can agree, however if we ask God to show us to love as He would. It's a daily process, one that I am learning so much about, my prayer is that God would fill me life with love. That every day as I live, that my life shows love, in my words, and actions. This is a journey that is showing me so much about myself and how I love the one's who are very dear to me.
My prayer is that God continue to make me the woman He would have me be, and that I show love to others daily and that I will love as He loves me. This an amazing study and I encourage anyone to get this book.
This is my favorite quote that has impacted my relationship and one that always reminds me how I should love.
I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with
you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for
what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring
out."
... Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
"The Love Dare" A journey 363 days to go
" The Love Dare" it is a year long study on Love and how God wants us to love in our relationship. So today day 2 so 363 days more to go on this journey, but already I am learning so much and seeing that I have a lot to learn when it comes to Love.
Day 2 Title: Love is Life's Motivation
2 Corinthians 5:14 "For Christ's love compels us..."
This spoke to me in the study it talked about, what if you allowed love to invade your life? your very being how your life would change? Think about it, if you really allowed love to take over you'd be able to see life totally different and also be able to endure things you never thought one could. What if you began to allow love to fuel all your decisions? what do you think would it drive you to change?
I had to really look at this and ask myself what do I allow to drive me and my life? My life is filled with so many things but I can see how I lack love. I fill it up with tasks for work, always keeping my plate full of things to do, but I am missing such a crucial piece, I am in need of true Love.
Can I truly say that I love others? Do I show love on a daily basis to those I come into contact with? Can they see love evident in my life? I sadly had to say to myself probably not. So my next thoughts are how can I truly love like God intended for me to? Is my love one of conditions?
I love my family, friends, my boyfriend, but how can I show love to a perfect stranger? This study really got me thinking, and it's going to be a journey and I know not an easy one but one that I will have to be determined to learn more about myself and also as I am on the journey. I am not alone on this journey, I have my sweetheart and we will be discovering new things about love and about and how we are to love one another.
I want to leave you with this, how can love the ones in our lives? How can we make it so our lives are full of love? What things can we change so others can see the love we have? Will you take this challenge or this "DARE" as the book says. Dare to allow love in and experience the love God wants for us in our lives.
1 Corinthians 13:2
" If I have all the faith, so that I can move mountains, but have not love I am nothing"
Pray for Jay and I as we study this together, that our hearts would be open to what God is going to show us. Also that God teaches me how to truly love. My hearts desire is to love as Christ loves us, may I see others as He sees, and love as He loves.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Breaking Free- A journey to FREEDOM Part 2
This is part 2 of a 9 part series I will be sharing with you on the book Breaking Free by Beth Moore. The first part talked about being a captive and what held me back was that I was unaware that I was even a captive. This second part is focusing on Experiencing Peace in God, the verse that I want to share is
2 Thessalonians 3:16 "No may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." This verse taught me so much while I was on the journey of Breaking Free and one that I will hold dear to.
When I am talking about being peace with God, many of you may ask what is she talking about? Peace comes in situations that are completely given to to God. Have you ever experienced that? Have you ever had a situation where you needed Him and you just cried out to Him, even if you haven't ever or maybe in a long time asked God for anything, but in that moment you needed Him. I know that I have been there many times, when I tried to do it all on my own without God's help, then when I am at my breaking point I call out to Him.
I had to let go of many things in my past in order to experience true peace, the hurts caused by people, the pain of losing friends and I longed to feel peace. I just never knew that I could just lay it all down, until I finally realized I had been carrying around years of baggage and in order to move forward in my life and also in my walk with God, I had to let go.
It was hard for me to face that I would have to forgive those who had caused me so much pain in order to truly have peace. I had to to pray that God would just take away the resentment I had towards them, and give me a heart of forgiveness. Trust me it wasn't easy, I wanted to hold the grudge since they had caused me so much pain, but God tugged at my heart saying " Ruth, you need to forgive them, forgive them and I will give you peace" in that moment I had tears running down my face and I just asked God to help me deal with the pain and give me a heart to forgive.
I can honestly say, that night and as each day passed I felt a calmness I had never felt. I could feel peace, I was letting go of the baggage that consumed my life and for the first time I felt peace. I can't describe how it all felt, but I will in the best way I can. How I felt is that this huge burden was lifted off me, I could actually smile again and it was genuine not a show, I had learn to let go and now I could look forward to what God was going to show me and do in my life.
I learned that in it all He was always there, in my darkest days He was there. God doesn't always calm the trials that we are going through right away , but He does allow us to learn from it and to see His hand in it all. Don't worry if you're experiencing some trying times with your spouse, family, or friends. He will calm the storm and give you peace, but you have to seek Him. That was the one thing God showed me was that He was always there but I had just pushed Him aside and tried to handle it all on my own. One of my favorite sayings is from my mother she always says "This too shall pass" and she is so right when we give everything to God and learn to let GO we can experience peace that passes all understanding and we can be FREE.
I want to leave you with this verse Hebrews 13:5 " I will never leave you or forsake you" This is a great promise from God to us, and it is one that I cherish. He's always there, to comfort, provide always there right by your side. It took me a while to figure this out but I can't imagine my life without the Peace only He can give me, my life has been forever changed.
My prayer is that if you going through a challenging time or know someone who is give it all to God and in Him you can find true peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 "No may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." This verse taught me so much while I was on the journey of Breaking Free and one that I will hold dear to.
When I am talking about being peace with God, many of you may ask what is she talking about? Peace comes in situations that are completely given to to God. Have you ever experienced that? Have you ever had a situation where you needed Him and you just cried out to Him, even if you haven't ever or maybe in a long time asked God for anything, but in that moment you needed Him. I know that I have been there many times, when I tried to do it all on my own without God's help, then when I am at my breaking point I call out to Him.
I had to let go of many things in my past in order to experience true peace, the hurts caused by people, the pain of losing friends and I longed to feel peace. I just never knew that I could just lay it all down, until I finally realized I had been carrying around years of baggage and in order to move forward in my life and also in my walk with God, I had to let go.
It was hard for me to face that I would have to forgive those who had caused me so much pain in order to truly have peace. I had to to pray that God would just take away the resentment I had towards them, and give me a heart of forgiveness. Trust me it wasn't easy, I wanted to hold the grudge since they had caused me so much pain, but God tugged at my heart saying " Ruth, you need to forgive them, forgive them and I will give you peace" in that moment I had tears running down my face and I just asked God to help me deal with the pain and give me a heart to forgive.
I can honestly say, that night and as each day passed I felt a calmness I had never felt. I could feel peace, I was letting go of the baggage that consumed my life and for the first time I felt peace. I can't describe how it all felt, but I will in the best way I can. How I felt is that this huge burden was lifted off me, I could actually smile again and it was genuine not a show, I had learn to let go and now I could look forward to what God was going to show me and do in my life.
I learned that in it all He was always there, in my darkest days He was there. God doesn't always calm the trials that we are going through right away , but He does allow us to learn from it and to see His hand in it all. Don't worry if you're experiencing some trying times with your spouse, family, or friends. He will calm the storm and give you peace, but you have to seek Him. That was the one thing God showed me was that He was always there but I had just pushed Him aside and tried to handle it all on my own. One of my favorite sayings is from my mother she always says "This too shall pass" and she is so right when we give everything to God and learn to let GO we can experience peace that passes all understanding and we can be FREE.
I want to leave you with this verse Hebrews 13:5 " I will never leave you or forsake you" This is a great promise from God to us, and it is one that I cherish. He's always there, to comfort, provide always there right by your side. It took me a while to figure this out but I can't imagine my life without the Peace only He can give me, my life has been forever changed.
My prayer is that if you going through a challenging time or know someone who is give it all to God and in Him you can find true peace.
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