I Just Called to Say, "I Love You"

"Call to me," says the Lord, "and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things which you do not know," (Jeremiah 33:3).

It was an unusual phone call from my son, Steven. It was the second week of his second semester, his third year in college.
"Hey mom, this is Steven. I just wanted to call and say 'hello'. I haven't talked to you in a while and wanted to see how you were doing."
"Hey bud," I replied. "How are you? How are your classes? Do you like your professors?"
We volleyed questions and answers back and forth. It was a nice intro, and I kept waiting for the request such as, "Could you put an extra $50 in my account for another Philosophy book I had to buy," or a question such as "Does my car insurance go up if I get a parking ticket." But those type questions never came.
"Mom, how are you doing?"
"What have you been up to this week?"
"How's the new book coming?"
After about fifteen minutes into our conversation, I reluctantly asked, "Is everything OK?"
"Yeah," he chuckled. "I just called to talk. Are you surprised?"
"Sort of," I sheepishly admitted. "But it is a wonderful surprise!"
A few minutes later we said our "goodbyes" and "I love yous." Then I sat there and savored the joy of knowing that my son had called...not because he needed anything or had a problem to solve, but just because he loved me. Suddenly I got another call. Only this one was from my Heavenly Father. No, the phone didn't ring, but like a cell phone set on silent mode, God vibrated my heart with that still small voice that I have grown to love so well. Let me paraphrase what He said...
"Sharon, I want you to remember how you feel at this moment. Your son, whom you love more than life itself, has just called to talk to you...not because He wanted anything, not because he had a question about a decision or a detail of life, not because he had a problem to solve. He called just to talk, simply to see what was on your heart - because he loves you. That, my child, whom I love more than life, is the same way I feel when you talk to Me – not because you want something, not because you have a question about a decision you have to make, not because you have a problem to solve. That is how I feel when you talk to Me simply because you want to learn what is on My heart...simply because you love Me."
Steven's call was a poignant reminder that the God of the universe delights when His children call...just to say, "I love You."
 "Call to me," says the Lord, "and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things which you do not know," (Jeremiah 33:3)

"God we praise you that you are:

• Jehovah – The Self Existent One who had no creator and was before all things (Exodus 3:13-16)
• Jehovah-Raah – The Lord my Shepherd who takes care of me (Psalm 23)
• Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord my Provider who provides for my every need (Genesis 22:8, 14)
• Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord my Peace who gives peace beyond human understanding (Judges 6:24)
• Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord Who Heals  physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Exodus 15:26)
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness who cleanses us from all our sin (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There and Who will never leave us alone (Ezekiel 48:35)
• Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord my Banner Who brings victory in all my spiritual battles (Exodus 17:15)
• Jehovah-M'Kaddesh – The Lord who Sanctifies and sets us apart (Leviticus 20:8)

Dear Father, I love You. That's really all I want to say today. I love you, not because of what You do, but because of Who You are...my Heavenly Dad.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen. 

Winning And Losing

Every one of us strive for success.. we want to win in this life. :)

"Disappointed but not despondent" - Like this phrase a lot.

A good reminder for all.. =) God bless you all.

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious in professional golf. In 2009, Kenny Perry placed second after leading during the final round. Writing in The New York Times, Bill Pennington described Perry as “disappointed but not despondent” after the loss. “I’ll look back on it occasionally and wonder what I might have done differently, but I won’t dwell on it,” Perry said. “If this is the worst thing that happens in my life, I’ve got it pretty good. I won’t let it dog me. There are so many other things in life that matter more . . . . I’ll go home tonight with my family and we’ll have fun.”

The ability to look beyond our disappointments is essential for followers of Christ. Our focus determines how we face the victories and defeats in life. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2). This way of thinking looks to Christ, rather than our achievements, for significance and validation. We seek Him, not success.

When we strive for excellence and give our best effort, losing hurts, but it doesn’t have to harm us. The key is where we set our minds and hearts.

Lord, thank You that You are the one who measures
how we’ve done in life and determines
whether we’ve been successful. Help us to keep that
focus even in disappointments.
When Christ is the center of your focus, everything else comes into proper perspective.

Friendship - is it worth it?

No matter how much hurt I've been through, it's worth the price ...
Share with you the devotion i've read today, that speaks to me of my heart, something i always used to value a lot, as well as gotten hurt a lot... that i'm close to giving up on ... 

The Treasure of Friendship

Friendship is the springboard to every other love and the foundation for every healthy relationship. It is a proven fact that lonely people live shorter lives than those who have healthy friendships. Even Jesus needed friends when He walked this earth as a man. In fact, He placed great value on relationships. The Bible tells us Jesus spent much of His time deepening the relationships with a few – not the crowd. 
I love the story of an ingenious teenager who was tired of reading bedtime stories to his little sister. He decided to record several of her favorite stories on tape. When he presented the tape player and tape to his sister, he explained, "Now you can hear your stories any time you want.  Isn't that great?" The little girl took one look at the machine, frowned and then replied, "No! It is not great! That thing does not have a lap!"
God created us to need each other. That truth is never more evident than when we are in pain or struggling with some crisis in life. One of the main factors leading to a two-year battle with clinical depression in my life was the absence of replenishing friendships.  As I think back to that time, I am sure many women would have counted themselves as my friend when, in reality, they were simply acquaintances because that was all I would allow them to be. My pride kept me from admitting I wasn't Superwoman and that I did need the help of others. My insecurity held me back from reaching out to new friends and cultivating old ones.
To admit my need of a friend seemed like a weakness instead of the precious gift God created it to be. I refused to take the risk of being hurt, rejected or misunderstood.  I did not have time to invest in building intimate friendships and was too busy doing the work of God to be a friend.  As a result, when the darkness hit, I felt isolated and alone. Friendship took on an entirely different meaning in my life from that point on. In fact, friends are a great source of strength and encouragement in my life today. Friends fast and pray for me, holding me accountable and confronting me when they see my priorities lining up in the wrong way. Friends make me stop and take time for fun. Friends have taught me to be transparent.
Have I been hurt along the way? Yes. 
Have I been misunderstood? Yes. 
Have the friendships been worth the price? Absolutely! 
Roses are beautiful flowers. People who know me are aware of the fact that I can kill any plant known to mankind.  I once had a neighbor who grew roses in every shade of pink, yellow and red. I often watched Joan work in her garden and eventually realized she never handled the roses without wearing long sleeves and thick gloves. The roses were beautiful, but their thorns were not and could certainly inflict a lot of pain. In fact, my neighbor always seemed to have cuts and scrapes on her hands and arms even with the long sleeves and gloves she wore. I once asked Joan why she continued to grow roses and jokingly suggested she might want to consider raising a less dangerous kind of flower. I will never forget her answer and the profound truth it held, "The beauty of the rose is worth the occasional wound it gives. I have learned to handle the roses with respect and in such a way that my wounds are few." The same truth can be said of friendships.

The words of Jesus found in John 13:34-35, portray the perfect backdrop for God's love.  "And so I am giving a new commandment to you now--love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Does the world know we are His disciples by the way we love and relate to each other? 
   
Chad was a shy, quiet little boy. One day he came home and told his mother he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. "I wish he wouldn't do that!" she thought. She had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other, but Chad was never included. Still, she decided to go along with her son's plan. She purchased the paper, glue and crayons, and for three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made thirty-five valentines. Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was frantic with excitement! He carefully placed the valentines in a bag, and bolted out the door.
His mom decided to bake his favorite cookies because she knew he would be disappointed when he came home from school. It hurt her to think he wouldn't get many valentines -- maybe none at all. That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. Finally, when she heard their voices, she looked out the window to see the children laughing and having the best time. As usual, there was Chad in the rear but walking a little faster than usual.
She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty and when the door opened, she choked back tears as she said, "Honey, I have some warm cookies and milk for you" but he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face glowing, and all he could say was: "Not a one -- not a one." The mother's heart sank. Then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!" When God is in control of our friendships and when we trust Him with those friendships, we will be a better friend, and we will have more true friends.

Lord, I praise You for the gift of friendship. Today I commit to investing more time in deepening the friendships You have given me. I want others to see You in the way I relate to my friends. I am willing to risk being hurt in order to be a better friend. I will look for needs that I can meet in the lives of my friends and be transparent in sharing my needs with them. Today, I choose to honor You in every friendship and trust You with each one.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.