February Prayer Topic: To Love

This month the topic of how "to love" seemed like somewhat an obvious topic. But for some reason, every time I'd sit down to think about what to write... Nothing.

How hard can it be, to think of how we can love others? 

Tonight, I was on the phone with a my dear sister-in-love and we were talking about this dilemma. What should this month's topic be, what should we write about, being somewhat uninspired.

That conversation didn't seem to go much further. So, we continued on to other things. I was sharing with her about how the day went.

I smiled, thinking over the events of the day as I chit-chatted with her about it. I thought about all the texts from family and friends that popped up on my phone,  funny voicemail messages, my co-worker who have become like family, getting off work early and just spending some unexpected family time together. 

Thinking back, I really felt loved. It was a perfect day. 

But, is this really love?

Tonight. In the town of Loveland, Colorado; there is a group of teenage girls and their prayer leader who are spending their Friday night volunteering at "Night to Shine."

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On one night, February 9, 2018, more than 500 churches from around the world will come together to host Night to Shine for approximately 90,000 honored guests through the support of 175,000 volunteers!

Can you just picture it, 6 junior and seniors girls with their prayer leader, taking their own time, their Friday night after a long week of school, sports, and work; volunteering for an event that isn't for them?

Is this love?

To both questions, I say "Yes." 

In these instances, others had the opportunity to express their love. Love to a friend, daughter, sister, wife,  and for these girls-90,000 random strangers.

So my problem isn't really not having anything to write about when it comes to love. It's slowing down and reflecting on my life and seeing how I am loved!

God has so blessed my life full of these things. I just needed to slow down and look at my life through His eyes. 

In His word, He promises to give us life, life more abundant (John 10:10), because He is good. But more then that-it's because God is Love.

This month I pray that you take the time to slow down. Look around. Regardless of what is going on in your life, what blessing or challenges you may be facing, He wants you to have that life more abundant, a life filled with Love. 

So...
Stop 
Look 
And know you will find Love.

Photo by Evan Kirby on Unsplash

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

~kartini r. maxson

A Single Woman’s Valentine

Yes, I am single, and so Valentine’s day, or as I call it, Single Awareness Day, was another day of life.  I spent the day working, but also I made sure that I spent the day telling the people in my life that I loved them.  I didn’t want to miss a moment to say those three powerful words.

It wasn’t the type of day that I ever imagined at my age.  I thought that by now, I would be married and have a family.  However, I am celebrating where God has me, and I do have people in my life that I love, and love me too.  I am not without love, and that is something to celebrate, every day.

I love you, are powerful words.  They are words that bring a lot of emotions. Do I wish that I had heard an “I love you” from a husband, or significant? Yes I did, I do.  However, there is something about Valentines this year that was different than other years.

I did not look at it as missing out on something.  I looked at it a little differently now.  It was a reminder that, if I stop to think about all the people in my life, I have so much love.  Also, I have a life that is full of love.  Not only do I have people in my life that love me, and that I love, but Jesus loves me too.

“Jesus loves me” is not just the words to a child’s song.  It is the truth, and He has given us a book of love letters, the Bible. Everyone gets a love letter. It doesn’t differentiate between single, married, divorced, widowed, engaged, separated, or whatever else.  It is for all of us.

Jesus loves me, this I know. It is a love that never gives up, and it doesn’t show up just one day a year. His love is forever, and is always constant. Isn’t that so amazing? Amazing love.

This month we have been praying for the people in our lives that we love.  All of us have people in our lives that we love.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a spouse, or significant other.  It can be friends that are family, and family that are friends, or anyone that God has brought into your life.

There are so many variances of love.  There is the love between a parent and child, love between spouses and significant others, love of family, and friends.  All of it is love, and all need to be prayed for. I am thankful for the loved ones in my life.

Every morning, I pray for my loved ones.  I also thank the Lord for His unending love.  I love Him, and I tell Him that too.  You know, I think that Jesus likes to hear us say that we love Him.

This journey through life is sometimes crazy, and sometimes we may feel alone, but we are not.  He is always there, and He loves us.  He loves us so much that Jesus came down to earth and lived and died so that we may live eternally with Him. That is true Agape Love.  God is love.

Because God is love, I can love those people in my life.  Because God is love, I am worthy of love.  Because of God is love, I am complete and whole. Because God is love, you are too.

I am so blessed to have family and friends around me that I love so much.  Yes, I am single, but I have so much love around me.    I am loved by God, and that is amazing.

Dear Lord, I thank you for loving me.  You love me, and You will never leave me.  Thank you for the people in my life that I love and that love me. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Laura Maxson

            

February Prayer Topic: Those We Love

I've had this love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day.

Growing up. I loved Valentine's Day. I remember in Elementary School a few days before Valentine's Day, we would make these special "collection receptacles." Carefully placing each detail to this much-more then ordinary shoe box, cutting out the slit in the top that receive those special little Valentine's card. Everyone made boxes, everyone got cards. I loved it! I just loved Valentine's Day.

Then came High School. Where almost the opposite happened. No boxes were made, not everyone got cards. No, unless you had a "Valentine" no cards or gifts were to be had. So I decided, this holiday was no longer for me. I would not allow someone else, or lack there of, be the determining factor of my joy, happiness, or love. No. No more Valentine's Day for me. 

After that came University. Where to the surprise, of my boyfriend, I made known to him, I vetoed Valentines day. I informed him, our love would not be determined by one day and the gifts given or received on that one day. 

So that tradition carried through our dating life and into our marriage. It remained that way until the birth of our son. It's funny how having kids in your life can change your view of things, which in this case was Valentine's Day. To the confusion of my dear husband, I changed it up on him again. 

Oh, how I had forgotten my love for you Valentine's Day.  Once again little cards filled our house. Every year picking out that perfect treat that would accompany each card for everyone in his class. I loved it! I just loved Valentine's Day.

Looking back, what was it in those moments that made me love that day or not? On the surface you could say, it was as a child, the simple joy of receiving those cute little cards. Maybe that is part of it. Maybe it had something to do about giving and receiving. As I got older, maybe it was the thought that giving and receiving could have something to do with the love someone had for me. So instead of being secure that I was loved, I choose to not acknowledge a holiday, in fear I would not be loved. 

photo by kartini r. maxson

In John 15, Christ tell about the incredible love He and the Father have for each other, and that same incredible love He has for everyone of us. Incredible, stable, consistent, unwavering, ever-present love. This love, so incredible, that He gave the ultimate gift. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13. He gave His life for us. 

This gift of love He gave to everyone. Regardless of if we choose to give Him our love in return-He still loves. Incredible, stable, consistent, unwavering, every-present love.

Even though He does not make us love Him in return for this gift, He does ask if we love Him. And if we love Him, He asks us to love each other. To love each other as He loved us. Not once or twice, but three time here He asks us to love each other-the way He loved us. (John 15:12,14,17)

But, that may seem impossible. To love as He did. Life giving love. Constant, unconditional, unwavering; unlike my feelings about Valentine's day. I guess when you really think about it, it is impossible. 

Impossible unless we are connected to Him. Connected to the True Vine. As we love Him, stay connected to Him, it is through Him that can we love as He loves.

He came to Love. He lived love, died love, and rose again love. Because God is Love. 

~kartini r. maxson

Prayer for Abuse Victims & Abusers

This month we are going to pray for abuse victims and the abusers.  Yes, it is tough, and it will not make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.  This is a huge issue in our world.  All of us, whether we know it or not, know someone who has been abused or is being abused.

Facts:  Every 107 seconds (almost every 2 minutes) another American is sexually assaulted. 1 in 3 women worldwide have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18.  Nearly 31% of American women report being physical or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.  It is not just women who are abused by their partners, men, also, are being abused by their wife, girlfriend, or partner.

“O Lord, you hear the desires of the afflicted: you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.” Psalm 10:17-18

These numbers are staggering. Why does God allow this?  I know I have asked this question.  It has taken prayer, and searching to soothe my heart. What I have found is that sin is in this world.  That is not an easy answer.  What God has shown me is that He has given each of us have free will.  With that free will there are certain things that God “choses” not to interfere.  Sin is one of those.  If God interfered with a person’s free will, then it would not be free will.

That does not give comfort to those who are being abused, mentally, physically, spiritually, or sexually. We must pray that abuse victims get the help they need.   There is something that we can do too, besides prayer.  If you know that abuse is taking place, it is our duty to do something about it. We can be the answer to prayer ourselves.

If you suspect a child, or an adult you are acquainted with is possibly being abused, do something.  You can be the safe place if they need to talk to you, and you can help them with the next steps, reporting, or other. Do you know that only 68% of sexual assaults are reported?

You can do something.  You can get involved, and support them. Some people feel so alone. Prayer is necessary, but if you know someone who needs help, then actions are equally necessary.  Even action towards those abusing.  Help them, report them, and be there for them, if you feel comfortable doing so.

Pray for those that are abusing.  We need to pray that they will listen to the Holy Spirit, and their hearts will be softened.  Anyone can change, because God doesn’t give up on anyone.  He hurts for all of us.

How can I say that?  Because, I have seen the abuser years later finally being set free from his sins.  God is taking Him on the journey. 

God has the ability to make everyone new.  Jesus died for all of us, the abused, and the abusers.  Pray that God will shine the light on the darkness.  God can make us whole, if we are willing to be made whole.

 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

There are resources out there.  If you have been abused, there is hope. If you have abused, there is hope.  God wants you, and He will show you, if we only have our eyes and ears open.  There is help out there. 

For those that maybe don’t know of anyone that has been abused, or is abusing, pray that God would show you what He wants you to do.  Maybe, it is just you praying specifically, and that is great too.

“For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name’s sake You lead and guide me;” Psalm 31:3-4

Dear Lord

Blessed be Your name.  There is sin in this world, and we want You to come, and destroy all the sin.  Yet, while we live in this world there will be sin.  We pray for the people who are being abused.  We also pray for those abusing.  You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, and anyone who comes to You will have eternal life.  Shine the light, be the Light for the world to see.

Amen

Laura Maxson

Sometimes it Takes a 2x4

In the last blog post, I mentioned that God sent me a little Valentine ’s Day card.  It was not lost on me that the card was 2x4.  Sometimes it takes a 2x4 to refocus my mind towards what is becoming the most important relationship to me.  My relationship with God.  To continue on with my word for the year Trust.  I trust that He will always be there, and will not hurt me.  He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6)  He has promised that He will always be there.

We moved a lot, and it sometimes seemed that just as I was getting close to someone we would move.  After a while of that happening, I put up a wall in my heart.   It wasn’t just because of our moving, it was a past that I really couldn’t shake either.   I wouldn’t let anyone pass a certain point.  So, people were held at arm’s length.   

I was doing that with God too.  He kept trying to get closer to me, but I had my walls up.  I would only let Him in just so far. I really didn’t know if I could trust Him.  I felt like a hypocrite saying that, and would not admit that to myself.  Even as I write the words, I wonder to myself how I could think that.   Yet, our God is a patient God, and He did not give up on me. 

 

His love never changes.  It is I that changes, whether for the better or the worse.  It is I that moves closer or further away from Him.  No matter how far I went away from Him, He was always right where I left him.

Today, I am so close to Him, and becoming more in love with Him.  I trust him, and through that trust, I have allowed myself to be emotional healed from all the past.  I am a new person in Him.  To have that freedom of past pain and hurt, is something that is…I don’t think I can describe it.  What I will say is that because of my God, I am not the same person I was a year ago.  I am not the same person I was three months ago.

My relationship with God has also transformed my relationships with people as well as transforming me.  They are no longer held at arm’s length.  I have a new love for those people in my life.  Sometimes He shouts to get our attention, sometimes He whispers, and sometimes He uses a 2x4 card.

Dear Lord, thank you for being ever present in my life.  Thank you Lord for saving my soul….Thank you Lord for making me whole.  I love you. Amen

By: Laura Maxson